Daily Archives: October 27, 2023

Automation and Communication to Streamline Deliveries – Supply and Demand Chain Executive

Posted: October 27, 2023 at 7:33 am

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FourKites announces several new capabilities within its AI-enabled Appointment Manager solution that further automate distribution center, warehouse, plant and cross-dock pickup, as well as delivery calendar management, while simplifying communication between shippers, carriers and drivers.

Nearly 20% of appointments are rescheduled each year, resulting in costly and time-consuming delays, additional tasks and major interruptions to daily workflows. By consolidating delivery schedules and carrier communication into one streamlined platform, FourKites latest Appointment Manager enhancements provide supply chain partners with a more seamless appointment management process that saves time, increases on-time performance, improves auditing accuracy, reduces detention fees and slashes dwell times.

Improved Carrier Access-Through deeper integration with each carriers TMS, shippers can now provide carriers access to detailed reporting, such as reschedule recommendations, carrier appointment compliance, facility metrics and more. This enables a self-service environment for carriers, streamlines communication and drives continuous improvement with shared metrics and enhanced shipper-carrier relationships.

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Future of Employment in an Era of Automation – Drishti IAS

Posted: at 7:33 am

In India, automation is poised to redefine work, with nostalgia and novelty. The coexistence of traditional markets and tech giants reflects a multifaceted transition. Questions loom: Will machines replace IT jobs? How will cottage industries adapt? Will automation integrate into our diverse workforce, creating new collaborations and opportunities?

In the context of employment, automation refers to the use of machinery, artificial intelligence, and software to perform tasks that were traditionally done by humans. This could range from rudimentary tasks like sorting items on a conveyor belt in manufacturing units to more intricate responsibilities like data analysis and decision-making.

For Indians, this is not a distant reality. Think of how Flipkart uses algorithms to optimise delivery routes, or how Zomato employs data analytics to suggest personalised food options. On banking sites like ICICI or HDFC, chatbots handle customer queries, providing instant solutions. The ticketing system of IRCTC, which caters to millions daily, is another prime example of automation at work. In essence, automation, as we see on these prominent Indian platforms, is seamlessly integrating into our daily lives, reshaping industries and redefining roles.

Automation is reshaping India's job market dramatically. Sectors like auto manufacturing, banking, healthcare, and IT are adopting robotics and automation to enhance efficiency. For instance, Chennai's auto manufacturing units integrate robotics for faster and higher-quality production. Banking giants employ chatbots and advanced ATMs, improving customer experiences. Healthcare utilises automated diagnostic tools and surgical assistants for precision and error reduction. IT automation streamlines processes and encourages professionals to acquire specialised skills. Agriculture benefits from drones and automated tractors, promising increased yields. This transformation necessitates Indian workers to adapt, evolve, and prepare for a future where humans and machines coexist harmoniously.

The efficiency brought by automation, while promising, also carries with it the shadows of job displacement, particularly in a country like India with its vast and diverse workforce. Traditional roles, especially in sectors where repetitive tasks are paramount, are increasingly at risk.

Take, for instance, the bustling call centres of Gurugram and Noida. As AI-driven chatbots become more proficient, many customer service roles, especially the initial layers of support, might face obsolescence. In cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru, the advent of digital payment platforms and online banking has reduced the footfall in bank branches, gradually lessening the need for traditional bank tellers.

The transport industry, too, faces potential disruption. As India pushes forward with its plans for smart cities and invests in research for autonomous vehicles, the day isn't far when drivers might find their roles being replaced or significantly altered.

Furthermore, sectors like textiles and handicrafts, which have been the pride of places like Jaipur and Varanasi, might also see automation of certain processes, potentially affecting artisans and craftsmen who have honed their skills over generations.

However, it's crucial to note that while this shift might seem alarming, history serves as a testament to human adaptability. Just as the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th century brought with it concerns of widespread unemployment, it eventually led to the creation of entirely new professions and opportunities. In a similar vein, the wave of automation in India, though challenging, also brings with it the promise of novel roles, industries, and avenues yet unexplored.

The advent of automation in India is not just a harbinger of change; it's a catalyst for innovation and new opportunities. While certain roles face obsolescence, a myriad of new job categories are emerging, promising a dynamic employment landscape.

Drawing from reports on the official website of NITI Aayog, the government's premier think-tank, it's evident that India is poised to be a global leader in the AI and robotics sector. This will inevitably lead to the creation of jobs in AI programming, machine learning model training, and robotics control design.

Further, according to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the effective achievement of India's digital vision has the potential to generate substantial economic worth, ranging from $800 billion to as much as $1 trillion, a considerable increase from the current $200 billion. Moreover, it could also support the creation of 60 million to 65 million jobs in the digital economy by 2025.

Moreover, as cited by NASSCOM, India's IT industry body, there's a growing demand for roles in emerging fields like quantum computing, blockchain development, and augmented reality design.

However, it's essential to highlight that while machines are adept at quantitative tasks, they lack the qualitative touch intrinsic to humans. Skills like empathy, creativity, and intricate problem-solving remain irreplaceably human. This distinction underscores the growing demand in professions such as mental health counselling, content creation, and design thinking roles that machines cannot easily replicate.

In essence, while automation redefines the contours of the traditional job market, India's emphasis on innovation, bolstered by government initiatives and industry foresight, ensures a vibrant tapestry of opportunities awaiting the discerning professional.

In the rapidly evolving Indian landscape, upskilling has become imperative. With a massive population, India's talent pool needs to stay globally competitive through continuous learning. Renowned institutions like IITs and IIMs offer courses on emerging tech trends. Major IT firms like Infosys, TCS, and Wipro have set up training centers and partnered with platforms like Coursera and Udemy for employee upskilling. Renowned institutions like IITs and IIMs offer courses on emerging tech trends. Startups and incubation centers provide workshops on blockchain and machine learning.

This shift means a shift from the traditional "study-work-retire" to a cyclical "study-work-upskill-repeat" model. Digital platforms and MOOCs make learning accessible from home. In the age of rapid technological advancement, upskilling is crucial for professional development.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and NASSCOM have introduced a digital upskilling incentives program through their platform, FutureSkills Prime. The platform's primary objective is to address the skill shortage among entry-level candidates and provide training in cutting-edge technologies for the current workforce in India.

Digital India initiatives, such as e-NAM, bring tech solutions to farmers, showcasing human-machine synergy. This partnership promises to unlock new opportunities as technology evolves, paving the way for once-dreamed innovations.

The trend of remote work, once a mere blip on India's employment radar, has now surged to the forefront, particularly accelerated by the intertwining forces of automation and the digital revolution.

The pandemic forced most IT companies in India to switch to work from home model. This shift wasn't just a temporary adjustment; many companies are considering adopting a hybrid model, balancing between remote work and office presence.

As per an Economic Times report, Infosys, one of India's IT behemoths, had announced switching to a flexible hybrid work model to address the uncertainty during the pandemic. This speaks volumes about the changing dynamics of work culture in India.

With cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi being known for their notorious traffic snarls, the elimination of commute time is a significant boon for many employees.

MeitY has been a staunch advocate for digital tools and platforms. Their push for Digital India is not just about digitising services but also promoting a work culture that leverages these digital tools, making remote work more seamless.

Companies like Trello, Slack, and Zoom, which facilitate remote collaboration, have witnessed increased adoption rates among Indian businesses. This is a testament to the changing paradigms where efficiency and task completion are taking precedence over fixed working hours.

Moreover, this shift towards remote work is democratising employment opportunities. Talents from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, who earlier faced geographical barriers, are now getting equal opportunities in the national and even global job market. Websites like Upwork and Freelancer have seen a surge in Indian professionals offering their services, indicating a robust trend towards freelancing and project-based employment.

Automation, rather than being a harbinger of joblessness, is a clarion call for adaptation. As we stand at this crossroads, the way forward is not resistance but readiness. Embrace the change, upskill, collaborate, and dive into the dynamic, automated future with both enthusiasm and caution. The landscape of employment is changing, but with the right mindset, it's an era filled with potential and promise.

Sources:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/10/03/ai-customer-service-jobs/

https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-02/Annual-Report-2022-2023-English_1.pdf

https://www.meity.gov.in/writereaddata/files/Call%20for%20Proposal-final_.pdf

https://www.pmkvyofficial.org/about-pmkvy

https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/artificial-intelligence-expected-to-add-500-bn-to-india-gdp-by-2025-8507775/#:~:text=Artificial%20intelligence%20(AI)%20is%20expected,a%20report%20said%20on%20Monday

https://opengovasia.com/indian-government-launches-digital-upskilling-programme/

Shounak Roy

Shounak Roy finds pleasure in the hunt for knowledge, eagerly seeking to learn something new about anything that interests him. He describes himself as a simple and peaceful individual, always curious to delve deeper into various subjects. If he comes across someone with shared interests, he enjoys engaging in discussions and exchanging knowledge.

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From legacy to automation: Spirent’s impact on network validation – ETCIO

Posted: at 7:33 am

Rajesh Pathak, Country Managing Director - India & SAARC, Spirent Communications Spirent Communications boasts a storied legacy as a provider of cutting-edge solutions in the realm of network testing, validation, and assurance. Over the years, the company has established a reputation for excellence and reliability, serving as a trusted partner for organizations in various segments of the network communication market.

Rajesh Pathak, Spirent Communications' Country Managing Director for India & SAARC, talks about Spirent's network testing legacy, leadership, innovation, automation, and adaptability. What is Spirent's focus in the market and what innovative solution offerings does it have for the enterprise segment? Our mission at Spirent is to help customers innovate faster and reduce costs. Enterprise networks are undergoing an unprecedented transformation, and our automated test and assurance solutions are designed to help ensure that new technology becomes an engine for growth and efficiency. We help enterprises ensure that cloud migrations and SD-WAN, Wi-Fi and Ethernet networks and private mobile networks perform as expected, and are secure. Testing and assurance help ensure that technology deployments are successfully delivered with the performance and security that the organization and its end-users expect.

Evaluate performance at turn-up before end-user starts using the network

Continuously check critical services and links, such as an IoT sensor or emergency communications, regardless of traffic levels

Proactively identify minor issues on the network and service before they become major

Troubleshoot complex issues in any part of the network because its virtualized and inserts small amounts of traffic, so its not a heavy lift How does Spirent assist in ensuring cloud-based networks and services as operators, network vendors, government entities, and large enterprises prepare for next-gen network deployments? We have focused on evolving our test and assurance solutions to address the added complexity of the new distributed, disaggregated network infrastructures and security architectures, and validating these constantly changing networks and polices. This includes cloud-native performance testing that provides realistic and scalable application traffic emulation in cloud-native environments; high-performance and scalable cloud and security testing; multi-cloud validation with a single pane of glass testing across distributed hybrid networks; zero-trust validation; and cloud resiliency testing to determine built-in resiliency and self-healing capabilities of cloud-native networks.

Spirents enterprise solutions enable organizations to test networks and security from pre-deployment through to live operation for cloud, SD-WAN, Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, and 5G networks. Our test, assurance and automation solutions with pre-built test suites on various technologies provide a continuous approach to testing, helping enterprise teams to work together with continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) and DevOps. This provides a consistent approach to testing across all stages of the network lifecycle, which is a key enabler of CI/CD and DevOps transformations. Post deployment, this approach enables teams to continuously test service level agreements (SLAs) to prove compliance and avoid potential penalties; quickly isolate problems to reduce resolution time and costs; proactively assess security to detect vulnerabilities and take action; and understand and optimize the true user experience. How can Spirent enhance the value of validating new infrastructure with greater efficiency? Spirent has a long heritage in providing test and measurement solutions for virtually all segments of the network communication market. We are leading the charge in many of the next major advancements in networking, ranging from high-speed Ethernet 800G, 5G, cloud-native and cybersecurity. The way vendors use testing, validation and assurance is changing in fundamental ways because traditional manual testing is simply no longer viable. Before releasing products and updates into the live network, vendors want to emulate the real-world environments in which products will operate by creating highly accurate digital twins of the real world to test products and performance across the entire system to ensure that the user experience is as anticipated. For this reason, test and assurance must be automated and continuous because development cycles are so fast, and the live network is constantly changing. What is the key USP that your Security Suite offers to enterprise customers? Cybersecurity is such an important element for all customers, and Spirent provides enterprise test solutions to validate the performance, scalability, and security effectiveness of diverse networks, as well as security solutions like next-gen firewalls, intrusion prevention and detection systems, application delivery controllers, SD-WAN, SASE and ZTNA architectures.

Our flagship cybersecurity test solution is CyberFlood delivers a unified workflow, portable methodologies, and ease of deployment across all an enterprises domains, whether they be on-premise, private cloud, public cloud and cloud-native/container. Another of CyberFloods proven advantages is that it is used throughout the network lifecycle, from design, through deployment, and on-going assurance.

Added to this, Spirent also offers a variety of managed test services delivered by our certified, seasoned security professionals. They act as an extension of the customers own in-house security team, proactively identifying vulnerabilities and mitigating risks. By augmenting their own security teams with our experts in testing and security, an enterprise can optimize staffing, supplement the organizations internal expertise, and facilitate compliance with independent third-party testing and reporting.

The hybrid networks especially require enhanced collaboration with vendors and heightened vigilance against cyberattacks. What is Spirents security approach to this? Today's enterprise networks become more vulnerable for increased and modern security threats which makes the security team more focused on keeping their network sustain these threats. To address this threat sustainability, the Security team must always monitor the risks including the internal & external security threats, comply to regulatory requirements, threat modelling, security patches, security policies, risk management, etc. This involves constant change in the network/ devices which requires frequent and continuous validation on pre-production environment by emulating the real-world traffic, threats & network conditions before rolling out to the production network. Spirent has continuous & automated test validation solution which can trigger, perform & publish the sandbox validations in an automated environment including the production network roll-out process as well. This proven solution reduces the time-to-test drastically and ensures the patch/ policy change doesnt affect the production network with reduced overheads & resources.

NOTE: This article is a part of ETCIO Brand Connect Initiative.

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Genghis Grill Partners with Flybuy on Off-Premises Automation – FSR magazine

Posted: at 7:33 am

Genghis Grill, the popular Mongolian stir-fry chain under parent company Craveworthy Brands, has announced a partnership with Flybuy, the leading location-driven productivity platform, to automate their off-premise experience. The partnership comes after a successful pilot program with Flybuy, which has already been proven to improve the customer experience, lower wait times, and boost their sales metrics by driving repeat customer visits.

The partnership with Flybuy allowsGenghis Grillto receive real-time updates on customer arrivals, enabling them to prepare orders just in time for pickup. It has helped staff operate at a nearly perfect efficiency rate and wait times have decreased by 43%, which have drastically improved the overall guest experience.

"We are thrilled to partner with Flybuy to enhance our off-premise operations and provide a better experience for our customers," saidJeremy Theisen, Chief Growth and Development Officer at Craveworthy Brands. "The results of our pilot program have been outstanding, showing an increase in operational efficiency, customer satisfaction scores, and order volume. We look forward to utilizing Flybuy for all Craveworthy Brands concepts in the near future."

In addition to leveraging Flybuy to predict arrival times of incoming customers,Genghis Grilluses Flybuy to predict the arrival of incoming delivery drivers. Using Flybuy for delivery service provider optimization has eliminated bottlenecks within restaurant lobbies, freed up parking spots, and reduced disruptions to staff and dine-in customers.

Flybuy also fuelsGenghis Grill'svirtual brand, Wow Bao, which is a special delivery-only menu available on delivery marketplaces. Wow Bao orders are funneled through Flybuy, and the Flybuy Dashboard displays allGenghis Grilland Wow Bao orders in order of urgency. The kitchen can effectively manage the influx of dine-in and off-premise customers and prepare orders based on exact arrival times.

"We are excited to welcomeGenghis Grillinto the Flybuy family and provide their customers with a more efficient and seamless experience," saidMarc Wallace, CEO and Co-Founder of Flybuy. "Our technology is designed to enhance the restaurant experience, and we are thrilled to see the quick results of our partnership withGenghis Grill."

Genghis Grillis leveraging Flybuy at all locations, with plans to expand to all of Craveworthy Brands.

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Q&A: Workday exec talks hospitality and automated, scalable finance – Smartbrief

Posted: at 7:33 am

Sponsored

By Workday Published: October 26, 2023

This post is sponsored by Workday.

Acquiring a workforce and running the business is more expensive than ever. From labor shortages to operating expenses to supply chain disruptions, costs are up across the board, which means hospitality leaders need to drive profitability at faster speeds with fewer resources.

The trouble is that hospitality organizations face significant disadvantages without the business agility, operational insights, and intelligent automation needed to control and contain costs, eliminate operational redundancies, and deliver actionable business excellence.

Keith Pickens, managing director, retail industry at Workday, sat down to talk through these issues. In this interview, he discusses the importance of the hospitality industry keeping a laser focus on productivity and costs as well as the benefits an organization can realized through automated, scalable finance.

Pickens also outlines the common obstacles hospitality businesses face when trying to automate their finance departments, how AI and other automated analytics tools can facilitate real-time decision-making when it comes to costs and profitability and digs into how Workday sees automation helping retailers and restaurants optimize their profitability. He wraps up the discussion with whats next for the hospitality industry and Workday.

Check out the video below to watch and listen to the discussion with Workdays Keith Pickens.

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Media Review: Rusty Lake The Etownian – Etownian

Posted: at 7:31 am

For this weeks media review, well be taking a look at an intriguing series of point-and-click puzzle games made by the Dutch development company Rusty Lake.

All of the Rusty Lake games are available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, as well as on Steam for PC. The two most recent games are also available on Nintendo Switch. They range from free to about $5, depending on the platform.

The games are set in a world where souls can be corrupted and return for revenge; reincarnation is possible and an immortality serum was discovered (but mistakenly given to a friendly recurring dog). A secretive group led by Mr. Owl, a man reborn as a human-animal hybrid after being sacrificed by his family to appease the lake, aims to get revenge on the family that tricked him and coax others into coming to the lake by calling it a fishing retreat for people struggling with their mental health. The lake hungers for memories, which are captured from visitors in cubes.

The franchise features three intertwining storylines, which can be distinguished by the names of their corresponding games. The first story centers on a detective named Dale Vandermeer and his past, investigating the mysterious murder of a woman named Laura Vanderboom. Vandermeer is featured in the Cube Escape subseries, which includes 10 different games: Seasons, The Lake, Arles, Harveys Box, Case 23, The Mill, Birthday, Theatre, The Cave and Paradox, the first nine of which can be downloaded together as a collection.

The second storyline follows the rest of the Vanderboom family and carries the Rusty Lake name. There are only three games in this subseries, being Hotel, Roots and Paradise and the bulk of the worlds lore is found within them.

The last subseries has no distinguishing naming convention and includes the games Samsara Room, the companys first game, The Past Within, a collaborative two-player game and Underground Blossom, which is the newest game in the series having been released at the end of September. These games further reveal how Vanderboom fits into the rest of the story.

There is also a stand-alone game called The White Door, which features Robert, a side character from Vanderboom and Vandermeers storylines as the main character and his experiences with a treatment facility called White Door Mental Health and Fishing, as a juxtaposition to the alternative Rusty Lake Mental Health and Fishing. It uses a slightly different style from the other games, although still cartoony.

Each game takes place in a new location, with a variety of puzzles to explore. You use the items you get from each puzzle to uncover solutions and complete more puzzles, which reveal information and advance the story.

Although some puzzles, especially in the games released early on, can be a bit unintuitive, the puzzles are rarely too difficult, and the company posts walkthroughs of every game on their YouTube channel. There are also a host of achievements to collect in each game for an extra challenge, which are associated with secret codes between games or across their social media presence, such as an alternate reality game (ARG) they created over the summer or in their Steam announcements, for an extra layer of intractability.

Rusty Lake has been one of my favorite game series, and Ive been having a great time exploring the lore as new games are released. Try them for yourself and see how many secrets you can uncover!

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How to Read ‘The Vampire Chronicles’ In Order – Esquire

Posted: at 7:31 am

Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links.

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The series begins with the confessions of a centuries-old vampire, told to a young reporter in New Orleans circa the 1970s. This is the ravishing story of Louis de Pointe du Lac, an 18th-century Louisiana plantation owner seduced into vampirism at the fangs of radiant but mercurial Lestat de Lioncourt. Sometimes friends and lovers, other times bitter enemies, Louis and Lestat salvage their strained immortal bond by turning orphaned young Claudia into their undead companion. But condemning the fast-maturing Claudia to eternal life in a childs body culminates in a shocking betrayalone whose consequences spin out across continents and decades. In this first volume of The Vampire Chronicles, Rice crafts a sensual fictive dream of sex and seduction, good and evil, death and immortality. She evokes all of it in voluptuous prose practically dripping with the bayou humidity of New Orleans, making for a true fantasia of the senses.

The beating heart of The Vampire Chronicles is Lestat de Lioncourt, Rice's beloved anti-hero. He takes center stage in The Vampire Lestat, which opens with an audacious frame device: after decades of slumber, Lestat awakens in the 1980s to the seductive sound of heavy metal. Determined to achieve international superstardom and reveal the secretive vampire race to the human world, Lestat commandeers a rock band (which hes modestly re-named The Vampire Lestat) and pens his autobiography. From here, the novel rolls back the clock to his youth as the son of a nobleman in pre-Revolution France, his transformation into a vampire at the hands of Magnus, his quest to understand the ancient origins of vampires, and even a rehash of Interview With the Vampire, told through his eyes. If Interview With the Vampire didnt make you fall in love with Lestat, then youll be powerless to resist his charms in this volume. Youll also leave with a new understanding of just how he came by the nickname of The Brat Prince.

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Whats a bored vampire to do but become a glam metal superstar? The frame device of The Vampire Lestat continues in The Queen of the Damned, but this third volume of the series marks a major leap forward: here, Rices detailed vampire mythos comes into view. When the 6,000-year-old mother of all vampires, Akasha, is awakened by Lestats dulcet tones, she mobilizes her plan to save mankind, unleash global carnage, and destroy Lestat. The novel reaches deep into ancient Egypt, with Rice unspooling a spellbinding origin story for Akasha and all of vampire-kind. She also introduces the Talamasca, a secret society of psychic detectives who watch over the worlds paranormal creatures, as well as their leader, David Talbot. For some readers, the journey can end here, as its widely acknowledged that the first three volumes are the series best. But for those who are motivated to continue, the lore only gets deeper and richer from here.

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If your interest in The Vampire Chronicles extends only so far as the Anne Rice Cinematic Universe, then its time for you to exit through the gift shop. But if youve been thoroughly bewitched by now, press on with this crime caper wrapped in a vampiric existential crisis. Plagued by despair and loneliness, a tormented Lestat makes a deal with a body-swapper in a bid to regain his humanity, just for one daybut little does Lestat know, this con man has no intention of swapping back. So begins Lestats globe-trotting scheme to restore himself to his body, but along the way, he stumbles into some downright comedic misadventures. After centuries of superpowered life, Lestats re-entry to human frailty is hilariously bumpy: he nearly dies of pneumonia, he falls madly in love with the nun nursing him, and he struggles to use indoor plumbing (cut the guy some slackhe hasnt defecated since the 1700s). In a series packed with darker fare, the light touch of The Tale of the Body Thief is a welcome respite.

It was only a matter of time before word of Lestats exploits traveled. In the fifth volume of the series, the Devil himself comes knocking to offer Lestat a job. Whisking our favorite bloodsucker away on a whirlwind tour of heaven and hell, he narrates a theological history that falls into lockstep with the vampiric lore laid out in The Queen of the Damned. Lestat returns from his cosmological journey with the Veil of Veronica, ignites a global religious movement, and promptly falls into a long vampiric coma. Some say that Rice jumped the shark with this, her most controversial installment of The Vampire Chronicles. Notably, Memnoch the Devil sees Lestat sink his fangs into Christ on the cross; it also includes a lurid scene wherein Lestat consumes a womans menstrual blood. Well let you decide which scene is more unforgettable.

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Armand, a debonair vampire frequently seen in Louis and Lestats orbit, finally takes flight in Book Six. Here, Armand unspools his peripatetic backstory, from a boyhood in Kiev Rus to captivity in Constantinople to a new life in Renaissance-era Venice, where hes sold into the famed painter Marius harem of boys. After Marius gives Armand the Dark Gift, the novel moves through centuries of sumptuous dramatic history, from fin de sicle Paris to present-day New Orleans. Armand makes for an emotive and romantic storyteller in this memorable tale of sex, art, and salvation.

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Youve got to hand it to Anne Rice: she was serving up crossover events long before they were cool. The Vampire Chronicles converges with The Lives of the Mayfair Witches in Merrick, which sees Louis head home to New Orleans to confront the series original sin: the vampiric transformation of Claudia. Haunted by Claudias spirit years after her destruction, Louis turns to the powerful witch Merrick Mayfair to commune with Claudias vengeful ghost, but the sance has near-fatal results. Narrated by fan favorite David Talbot, Merrick brings dark beauty to its heady blend of magic, witchcraft, and life after death.

In Anne Rice-landia, everyone gets a backstoryand every storyteller gets an amanuensis. Volume Eight finds Armands maker Marius telling tales to Thorne, an ancient Nordic vampire newly awakened after spending centuries frozen in a block of ice. Marius details what it was like to live through the rise and fall of many empires, from Rome to Byzantium to Italys Renaissance years of blood and gold. Throughout it all, he collides with major players like Akasha and Lestat, adding ever more richness to the series' lore. For readers who admire Rices miraculous gift for sculpting history with texture and liveliness, Blood and Gold is a true treasure.

The crossover that began with Merrick continues in Blackwood Farm, as Rice blends the ghostly delights of the Mayfair Witches saga with the familiar Vampire Chronicles formula. Here, she takes us to a macabre new setting: Blackwood Manor, located deep in the haunted Sugar Devil Swamp, where novice vampire Quinn Blackwood enjoys erotic encounters with the ghosts in his family home and suffers the attacks of a doppelgnger spirit. Only one man can help Quinn shake his spectral problem. You guessed it: Lestat (with an assist from Merrick Mayfair). Rich in historical flair, Blackwood Farm includes vivid flashbacks to gory vampiric encounters in ancient Athens, Pompeii, and 19th century Naples. After a few volumes of globe-trotting, this installment marks Rices welcome return to the swampy, steamy, witchy bayou she knows best.

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In Blood Canticle, Lestat narrates for the first time since the much-maligned Memnoch the Devil, opening the book with an indignant metafictional salvo: What the hell happened when I gave you Memnoch the Devil? he exclaims, peevish as ever. You complained! Like Memnoch before it, Blood Canticle suffered a rocky landing. After hundreds of Amazon reviewers panned the book, Rice fired back: Your stupid, arrogant assumptions about me and what I am doing are slander, she wrote. You have used the site as if it were a public urinal to publish falsehoods and lies. Well let you be the judge of the novels success. Its classic Vampire Chronicles melodrama, with Lestat once again seeking redemptionbut this time, he bestows the Dark Gift on a dying woman, falls in love with a Mayfair witch, and aspires to become a holy saint. Just another day in the vampiric life, right?

Eleven years after she vowed to end the series with Blood Canticle, Rice just couldnt quit her fanged favorites, so she came roaring back with Prince Lestat. The authors son and literary executor, the novelist Christopher Rice, has called this volume a true sequel to The Queen of the Damned. Many of the characters introduced in The Queen of the Damned return here, including David Talbot and Akashas ancient Egyptian enemies, Maharet and Mekare. Obsessed with his iPod and playing Bon Jovi on repeat (yes, seriously), Lestat is disturbed from his rock star reverie by desperate pleas to save the vampiric community from civil war. Prince Lestat proves that despite Rices intentions to hang up her quill, the series still had some venom leftits a satisfying battle royale for a sprawling cast of familiar favorites.

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Described by Rice as one of her greatest personal adventures, the penultimate volume of the series sends Lestat into even stranger territory than heaven or hell: this time, he descends into the lost realm of Atlantis, courtesy of the ancient spirit taking up residence in his body. And just when you thought the lore couldnt get any more outrageous, Rice adds aliens to the mix. Yes, you heard that right. The lost city of Atlantis, it turns out, was inhabited by extraterrestrial creatures called replimoidsand their secrets may unlock enduring mysteries about the origin of vampires. Dismayed by Rices efforts to retcon aliens into her vampiric lore, many readers dismissed this volume as a trainwreck. If youre a purist about Rices lore, feel free to skip itbut if you can reframe it as a kooky diversion, theres plenty of excitement and gore to be had here.

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The series ends with the ultimate showdown for vampire-kind, featuring the welcome return of beloved characters like Louis, Armand, and Marius. In this final volume, we find Lestat a changed man: no longer the arrogant Brat Prince or the rebellious rock star, he now presides over his community of vampires (the Blood Communion) with an ethos of love, hope, and pacifism. But when ancient foes mount a formidable threat, Lestat and his followers must defend their way of life to preserve the future of the vampire race. This volume is shorter and talkier than Rices standard fareand as such, lacking in the lavish flights of description for which the author is so belovedbut still, its rich in passion and violence, love and hate, damnation and salvation. Leave it to Rice to bring the series home with a blood-soaked conclusion that bites back.

Books and Fiction Editor

Adrienne Westenfeld is the Books and Fiction Editor at Esquire, where she oversees books coverage, edits fiction, and curates the Esquire Book Club.

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10 Best Horror Movies Based On Latin American Folklore – Screen Rant

Posted: at 7:31 am

Summary

For many years, Latin American horror cinema has made significant contributions to the genre by drawing from the diverse folklore and urban legends across the region. In recent decades, it has emerged as a large presence, resonating on a global scale thanks to the age of streaming. With its diverse cultures and rich traditions, Latin America's cinematic offerings have created intricate narratives. Naturally, each country has its own urban legends and myths, and not all of them apply to all of them. That said, some of the best directors in the genre have been directly or indirectly inspired by Latin American folklore and cinematic language.

Latin American stories, legends, and folklore are often known for magical realism, infusing the supernatural into the everyday. This cultural art form seamlessly lends itself to the horror genre. The mix of the ordinary and the supernatural creates an immersive and unsettling atmosphere that usually leads to great horror movies. The result is a rich cinematic experience, where ancient myths and contemporary fears coexist, both in movies from Latino filmmakers and productions from other regions.

Issa Lopez's 2017 film, also known as Vuelven, effectively uses Latin American folklore, with a primary focus on the Huay Chivo legend, as a metaphor and allegorical narrative. The story creatively mixes horror, fantasy, and magical realism, while shedding light on the pressing issue of street violence's impact on children across Latin America. Huay Chivo is a malevolent and shape-shifting being who dwells in mountains and forests, preying on unsuspecting victims. It possesses the ability to take on the forms of different humans in order to deceive. Much like the cautionary nature of the Huay Chivo legend, the film echoes the warning to exercise caution in the face of the unknown.

La Llorona draws inspiration from the well-known character of Mexican folklore, La Llorona, or The Crying Woman. The legend tells the story of a woman who is seen and heard looking for her children, crying in pain, and seeking revenge. The 2019 Guatemalan film explores the legend but with a twist. A dictator, responsible for the brutal genocide of native Mayans, is also haunted by a weeping woman, the embodiment of all those who were killed by his orders. The Legend of La Llororna has inspired many other films, including The Conjuring Universe's The Curse of La Llorona, and the 2006 Mexican film Kilmetro 31.

While this film doesn't explicitly mention a particular folklore figure or legend, The Old Ways draws inspiration from the broader belief systems and supernatural practices found in Mexican and other Latin American cultures, specifically brujera (witchcraft) and shamanism. The film explores themes of possession, exorcism, and the practice of brujera to fix what is deemed wrong. The film tells the story of Cristina, a Mexican journalist seeking to explore the world of brujera. Her trip takes a terrifying turn when she's abducted by locals who perceive her as evil. For those who enjoy this genre of horror, The Old Ways offers an interesting look from the Latin perspective.

Intertwining horror, Panamanian culture, and local legends, Diablo Rojo PTY is a chilling film that pays homage to the legend of La Tulivieja. Panama's first foray into horror cinema, Diablo Rojo PTY successfully blends folklore and urban legends into a spine-tingling narrative. This Panamanian film follows a group of travelers on a journey through the jungle of Chiriqui, Panama, as they become the target of a malevolent witch. Their only sanctuary is the bus they're traveling in, known as a "Diablo Rojo." Inspired by the rich tapestry of Panamanian folklore, specifically the legend of La Tulivieja, the film takes audiences into the core of this vengeful spirit's wrath.

La Casa Lobo, or The Wolf House is a story inspired not by creepy folklore, but the real-life story of Colonia Dignidad, a secretive, cult-like commune in Chile led by a German ex-Nazi, Paul Schfer. The film follows Maria, a young woman who escapes from a cult and takes refuge in a mysterious house in the woods. Inside the house, she begins to experience disturbing events, which serve as an allegorical exploration of the trauma and horror associated with Colonia Dignidad. La Casa Lobo uses stop-motion animation to create a nightmarish atmosphere and seamlessly weaves historical elements into its narrative.

While vampires are not specific to Latin American folklore, seeing vampires through this lens makes this film worthwhile. Pura Sangre, or Pure Blood, is a Colombian film that offers a distinctive take on vampires. Directed by Luis Ospina, the film centers on a wealthy man afflicted with an unusual ailment that requires regular blood transfusions from children and teenagers. This story is based on unsolved murders that took place in Colombia. There is a myth that the person presumed responsible was a wealthy man who suffered from leukemia. In order to survive, the alleged man survived on the blood of his victims, lending to the vampire inspiration for this film.

Related: 25 Best Vampires (That Aren't Dracula)

Madres explores the concept of El Cuco, a figure deeply rooted in Hispanic and Latin American folklore. El Cuco, or The Boogeyman in English, is a monster or spirit used to frighten children into good behavior. In the film, the story revolves around a Mexican-American mother who is tormented by the belief that El Cuco is targeting her son. The film gives insight into the psychological aspects of motherhood, incorporating elements of folklore with the modern immigrant experience in the United States. While Madres primarily focuses on the psychological and supernatural aspects of motherhood, it does incorporate elements of folklore to create a chilling and culturally relevant horror film.

Another film that focuses on the legend of El Cuco, or The Boogeyman and Brujeria is Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones, the fifth installment in the franchise. The movie takes a different approach in the Paranormal Activity timeline by shifting the focus from the original suburban setting to exploring a predominantly Hispanic community in Southern California. While it's primarily a found footage-style horror film, it still is able to seamlessly incorporate elements of Latin American folklore related to witchcraft and possession. It explores themes of black magic, curses, and supernatural entities, making it a unique entry in the series.

Cronos is a 1993 Mexican horror film directed by Guillermo del Toro, and it is his feature film debut. The movie is known for its unique take on the vampire genre and its exploration of myths related to immortality and alchemy, which are relevant in many cultures worldwide, including Latin America. The story revolves around an ancient device called the Cronos device that gives its user immortality. Cronos draws on elements of alchemical folklore, weaving it into a story of immortality, obsession, and transformation. The film delivers horror with a deep exploration of the human desire for eternal life and the consequences that come with it.

Director AJ Jones brings Colombian folklore to life in The Curse of La Patasola, a film that offers a fresh take on a well-known South American monster. As two American couples venture into a deserted forest, issues of infidelity, trust, and loyalty arise, but they soon become prey to La Patasola, a vengeful female creature who lures unfaithful men to their doom. The Curse of La Patasola offers a thrilling option for creature feature enthusiasts, blending American filmmaking with Latin American folklore.

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10 Wolverine Villains The MCU Can Finally Introduce – Screen Rant

Posted: at 7:31 am

Summary

Wolverine is finally coming to the MCU, and the famed X-Men member has no shortage of villains he could face off against. Almost 25 years after Hugh Jackman first brought him to life in Fox's X-Men film series and over 15 years after the start of the MCU with the release of the first Iron Man movie, the beast-like hero will become MCU canon, starring with Wade Wilson in Deadpool 3. Ever since Disney acquired Fox, and with it, the rights to the X-Men, there has been much speculation about the direction Marvel would take in order to consolidate all of its characters into one franchise.

With regard to Wolverine, there is a lot of potential for Marvel to put him up against some really powerful, captivating villains. With Wolverine's adamantium skeleton and regenerative healing factor granting him near invulnerability, the MCU's take on his story could lead to some incredible fight scenes and battles with the villains they end up choosing. While many villains have already been brought to life in the original X-Men film series, there are many others that are still only in the comics that would make great additions to the MCU. Here are ten of these villains and the roles they could play in the MCU's future.

Due to an ancient curse, if any person consumes human flesh in the Canadian wilderness, they are forced to become a furry, humanoid beast called the Wendigo. In the comics, the curse afflicts a man named Paul Cartier, whom the Canadian government sends Wolverine to subdue. Wolverine arrives to see Paul fighting the Hulk. This crossover between a major Avenger and X-Man likely explains why this villain never appeared before on-screen. Now that Disney owns the rights to both sets of Marvel superheroes, and has surviving versions of Hulk and Wolverine in the MCU, it could introduce the Wendigo as a way for them to meet each other.

Related: Every X-Men Movie, Ranked Worst To Best

Ogun in the comics is a ninja and master of the mystic arts that starts off as Wolverine's mentor, teaching him how to control his animal urges. Ogun soon discovers a technique to cheat death through the possession of other people's bodies, and he tries to possess Wolverine, causing them to become adversaries. Ogun is similar to Professor X as a telepath and father figure to Wolverine, so it makes sense that he has not been introduced. But as the MCU further explores alternate timelines, it could explore Wolverine and Ogun's dynamic in the comics, diving into Wolverines relationship with his powers and how he copes with Oguns betrayal.

Daken is Wolverine's long-lost son who, after the death of his mother Itsu, was raised by a wealthy couple in Japan. After his adoptive family dies, Daken, a mutant with similar abilities to his father, spends much of his life as a cold-blooded villain who is manipulated into seeking revenge on Wolverine. Itsu was never introduced as a cinematic love interest for Wolverine, so Daken hasn't appeared on-screen. The MCU could chart his journey from villain to morally gray antihero, similar to how it did with Loki.

The Gorgon in Marvel comics is a god-hating, exceptionally intelligent mutant who forms his own death cult. He kills his own family to prove his worthiness and loyalty to the ancient ninja organization the Hand, which he joins and eventually leads. In the comics, the Hand lures Wolverine into a trap, and Gorgon brainwashes Wolverine into becoming an agent of Hyrda, with whom Gorgon has an alliance. Introducing the Gorgon would give Marvel the opportunity to expand more on the history of two, powerful villainous organizations that are already MCU canon, Hydra and the Hand, and how they transformed as they were forced to take their operations underground.

Before becoming the villain known as Cyber, in the comics, Silas Burr was a murderer with a notable talent for pushing men beyond their emotional limits. He was recruited to become commander of a Canadian Army unit by the mysterious Romulus. There he meets and brutally tortures Wolverine into becoming an animalistic killing machine, even going as far as to kill Wolverine's love interest Janet to scare Wolverine into not caring for anyone. Cyber beats Wolverine so severely that he becomes one of the only villains Wolverine truly fears, which would be a compelling emotional arc for the MCU to explore for such a stoic character.

Related: 7 Failed X-Men Movie Villains The MCU Can Finally Get Right

Romulus in the comics is an ancient member of the Lupines, a tribe of feral humans once believed to have been descendant from canines. Not only does he take Wolverine's son Daken and raise him to be a ruthless killer, he also secretly manipulates Wolverine his entire life. Romulus's ultimate goal is for Wolverine to fight Daken to the death so that one of them could take his place at the top of the food chain. Wolverine in the X-Men movies struggled with humans trying to control him and make him into an animal, so the MCU could explore how Wolverine handles someone with a very similar background to him doing the same thing.

Lazaer was introduced in Marvel Comics as the Angel of Death, responsible for sending souls to the afterlife and killing those who don't follow death's rules, be it cheating death or inflicting someone's death before their time. He became a recurrent foe for Wolverine after Wolverine suffered a near-death experience but was able to fight Azrael off. Every time Wolverine has a near-death experience, he must face off against Azrael to keep his life. Previous films like Logan have explored how Wolverine's healing factor, and subsequent near-immortality, can be corrupted, so the MCU could introduce a version of Wolverine with a weakened healing factor that struggles to fight off Lazaer.

17th-century surgeon Zachariah Ravenscraft was close to death when a spell was put on him, transforming him into a vampire-like creature who is trapped between life and death. Dagoo, the person who made Zachariah that way, tells him that the blood of an immortal is the only way the spell can be undone. Becoming Bloodscream, Zachariah eventually comes across Wolverine during World War II and is convinced that Wolverine is immortal and starts hunting him, but Wolverine is able to get away. Because vampires are now MCU canon, the franchise has ample opportunity to have Wolverine face off against Bloodscream while working with fan favorites like Blade.

Old Man Logan, an aged, weathered version of Wolverine in the comics, has fought Maestro, a villainous version of the Hulk from an alternate future, multiple times. Old Man Logan has a compromised healing factor, leading to him not being able to recover as quickly from Maestro's beatdowns. Once Logan is adequately healed, he confronts Maestro again, ultimately beheading him. The battle almost proved to be deadly for Wolverine, who nearly didn't heal from Maestro's injuries. The MCU already toyed with the idea of dark versions of heroes in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, so it could expand on this idea with Maestro.

Once a vicious serial killer, mutant Arkady Rossovich was recruited to be used for the Russian super soldier program, transforming him into Omega Red. He's given carbonadium implants that start to poison him from the inside out, leading him to use them to drain people's life energy for survival and hunt Wolverine and his crew for stealing the Carbonadium Synthesizer devices that Omega Red needs. While the MCU has depicted some ruthless villains, none come close to how diabolical Omega Red is. As the MCU incorporates storylines with darker themes like much of Wolverine's, this is one villain who could be a perfect fit.

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The 2nd Amendment is not about Hunting – WIBC – Indianapolis News & Politics

Posted: at 7:30 am

Second Amendment

A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Guy Relfords show on Saturday was about Indiana Universitys symposium The Courts, the 2nd Amendment, and Public Policy. The symposium had the provocative subtitle Just Shoot Me. Academia, liberal courts, and liberal politicians erroneously misinterpret the 2nd Amendment. The 2008 Heller Decision settled much of the debate. Militia does not mean the National Guard. In 1791, when the 2nd Amendment was ratified, militia meant the whole of the body of the people. Any member of the community was considered a member of the militia. As Guy has mentioned on numerous occasions on his show, well-regulated does not mean regulated by the government. Well-regulated means a working and or efficient militia.

The President and many liberal politicians believe that the 2nd Amendment in regard to private ownership of arms is for hunting. While many colonialists were expert hunters, the 2nd Amendment was not written for hunting. It was written for self-defense, and the defense against tyranny.

As Guy so excellently explains using Paul Reveres midnight ride,

In riding through the countryside, he (Revere) did not say, The deer are coming, the deer are coming!

Reveres warning was to alert the people to arm themselves against the British Regulars who were coming for them. The Founding Fathers, when writing the 2nd Amendment, understood the importance of the people being armed against tyranny. They lived it.

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