Calgary to further develop Aerospace Innovation Hub – Cities Today

13 March 2024

by Jonathan Andrews

A C$3.9 million investment will enable aerospace innovators to gain access to funding, business support and the ability to validate their technologies in real-world settings at Canadas Aerospace Innovation Hub (AIH) in Calgary.

The funding comes fromOpportunity Calgary Investment Fund, managed by Innovate Calgary, and the participation of industry partners WestJet, the Calgary Airport Authority and Chapter.ai Ventures.

The [hub] represents a significant opportunity not only for our airport but also for our region, Megan Gupton (pictured above), Chief Information Officer for the Calgary Airport Authority, told Cities Today. Innovation is crucial for the aviation sector, and by fostering innovators in the aerospace industry, directly in our terminal, we anticipate substantial benefits for our airport, and broader ecosystem.

Between 2024 and 2028, the AIH is expected to support incubator programming for up to 180 companies and create 150 net new skilled, indirect jobs. As part of this, the AIH will directly fund six companies through the accelerator programme aimed at upskilling and attracting talent to the province. Through the provision of resources available from OCIF funding, the hub is expected to generateC$1.5 millionof research and development and 40 patents supported through ElevateIP Alberta.

The Calgary Airport Authority will provide both a physical space for the hub as well as opportunities for innovators to apply their solutions to real-world airport scenarios.

While providing space is a key aspect of this initiative, our airports involvement extends beyond mere accommodation, said Gupton. Hosting groups that are focused on aerospace innovation holds promise for passengers, authority staff and our partners. We envision a space where new technologies can undergo real-world testing, facilitating quick feedback loops and ultimately leading to significant advancements that enhance the aerospace ecosystem.

The hub joins theUniversity of Calgarysnetwork of four themed innovation hubs managed byInnovateCalgary,including the Life Sciences Innovation Hub, the Energy Transition Centre and the Social Innovation Hub.

The AIH is currently accepting new companies looking to expand to or withinCalgary. Entrepreneurs, start-ups, scale-ups and large corporate partners from aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors are invited to join the AIH, adding their ideas and expertise to build a world-renowned aerospace hub.

Image: Calgary Airport Authority

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Calgary to further develop Aerospace Innovation Hub - Cities Today

Vaping Linked to Mental Health Issues – Futurism

Image by Getty / Futurism

Vaping might not be as unhealthy as smoking cigarettes, but it carries its own long list of physical risks. And now, new research indicates it may be harmful to mental health and sleep patterns, too.

As researchers from England's University of Surrey have found, young adults aged 18-25 who use nicotine vape products were significantly more likely to experience a range of mental health issues than their non-vaping peers, including depression, anxiety, and rumination or dwelling on negative thoughts, as well as sleep issues like insomnia and emotional problems such as loneliness.

Published in the journal Healthcare, this new study surveyed more than 300 university students, about 15 percent of whom did vape and the other 85 percent of whom didn't, using a battery of questionnaires related to mindfulness and emotional regulation, anxiety and depression, rumination, sleep quality, loneliness, self-compassion and, of course, vaping and cigarette usage.

Of the 49 students who were vape users, there were some traits seen across the board, including lower levels of mindfulness, worse sleep quality, and heightened levels of rumination. They tended to be lonelierand have both less compassion for themselves and a much higher tendency of being diurnal or "night owls" than their non-vaping counterparts. Furthermore, the vape group also "reported significantly higher levels of alcohol consumption in terms of units consumed per week," the study notes.

Perhaps the biggest shared characteristic among the vaping group, as Surrey neuroscience lecturer and study co-author Dr. Simon Evans said in the university's press release, was an overwhelming tendency towards anxiety, with a whopping "95.9 percent of users being categorized as having clinical levels of anxiety symptoms."

"In this study, we found a disturbing link between vape use and anxiety symptoms," Evans continued, "and it can become a vicious cycle of using a vape to soothe anxiety but then being unable to sleep, making you feel worse in the long run."

With data from other studies about cigarette smoking suggesting that mindfulness, or the attenuation to one's emotional and mental regulation in the moment, can help with smoking cessation, the good doctor said that there may well be interventions regarding mindfulness and "combating rumination" that "could be useful to reduce vape use amongst young people."

Important to note: this is a type of research where it's very hard to pin down the relationship between correlation and causation. Are the students anxious because they're vaping, or do anxious kids tend to gravitate to vaping for a variety of social and psychological reasons? It's tough to say, and probably complicated.

That said, it's pretty amazing that such a small percentage of the youthful group surveyed for this study vaped at all, suggesting that the kids may be more alright than we give them credit for, relatively speaking.

More on mental health: Scientists Find Link Between ADHD, Depression and Hypersexuality

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Vaping Linked to Mental Health Issues - Futurism

People Noticed Something Very Strange About This New "Photo" of Kate Middleton – Futurism

Early Sunday morning, princess of Wales Kate Middletonshared a seemingly harmless Mother's Day photo of her surrounded by her three children on Instagram.

What she likely didn't expect was the ensuing media chaos following the widespread dissemination of the image across the media.

Shortly after the image started circulating online, some of those same agencies, as well as news outlets including the New York Times and the Washington Post, took the image down.

Why? The image was more than likely manipulated, as the Associated Press warned in a rare "kill notification."

In a subsequent post explaining its decision, the APsaid the image didn't meet its "editorial standards" which "state that the image must be accurate."

The bizarre incident highlights just how primed we've become to notice inconsistencies in photos posted on social media. Especially since AI-powered photo editing tools have become widely accessible, and the lines continue to blur between real and entirely made-up images and even video, netizens have seemingly become extremely wary of manipulation of any kind.

And that's a potentially dangerous, double-edged sword. On one hand, calling out when an image was manipulated, and holding those who try to mislead the public accountable for their actions, is as important as ever.

On the other hand, there's the danger of having this innate skepticism crossing the threshold into cynicism and conspiracy, further eroding our already tenuous connection to what is real and what was manipulated.

The Middleton Mother's Day affair arguably falls somewhere in the middle.

There's compounding evidence that the image itself, which made the cover of several daily newspapers and tabloids in the UK on Sunday, was indeed manipulated. As the Independent reports, the photo's metadata showed that it was saved in Adobe Photoshop twice on Friday and Saturday, though it's unclear if the software's AI tools were used.

Small but glaring inconsistencies were evident across the image, from a strange, shoddily edited skirt and sleeve belonging to Middleton's daughter, to a strangely blurred-out hand.

Others speculated that Middleton's face and hair were pasted into the middle and a body double took her place in the original photograph. Middleton is recovering from serious abdominal surgery and may not have been able to sit upright for the image or at least for very long. Another possibility is that her face and hair were pasted in from a different photo from the same shoot.

Some users even went as far as to argue that the image was taken four months ago during a well-publicized media event but was edited to show them in different outfits.

On Monday, the princess apologized for the gaffe.

"Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing," she wrote in an Instagram post. "I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused."

Regardless of intent or who edited the photo, the fact that several news agencies took the image down following its dissemination is fascinating in and of itself.

Where do we draw the line when it comes to manipulated images? Are "yassified" faces okay? What about composites?

And where does all this fall when it comes to AI? We've already come across several instances of entirely AI-generated images making their rounds on social media. Last year, Adobe was even caught selling the rights to AI-generated images of the Israel-Hamas war.

In August, the AP saidthat despite its licensing agreement with ChatGPT maker OpenAI, "we do not see AI as a replacement for journalism in any way" and that it doesn't "allow the use of generative AI to add or subtract any elements" to photos, video, or audio.

"We will refrain from transmitting any AI-generated images that are suspected or proven to be false depictions of reality," the note reads.

AI or not, Middleton's Mother's Day post has turned into an "inexplicable mess," as Wired put it, highlighting how quickly an otherwise harmless post can balloon into a media circus and lead to the dissemination of conspiracy theories on social media.

As the AP suggested, "efforts to tamp down rumors and supposition may have backfired after royal observers noticed inconsistencies in the photos details."

However, Kensington Palace is sticking to its guns and has refused to reveal the original, unedited photo.

"Weve seen the madness of social media and that is not going to change our strategy," royal aides told UK tabloid The Sun. "There has been much on social media but the princess has a right to privacy and asks the public to respect that."

More on photo editing: Wikipedia No Longer Considers CNET a "Generally Reliable" Source After AI Scandal

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People Noticed Something Very Strange About This New "Photo" of Kate Middleton - Futurism

Doctors Say Trump Is Displaying Clear Signs of Cognitive Issues – Futurism

Image by Win McNamee/Getty Images

At 81 years old, president Joe Biden has attracted significant voter misgivings over his age and mental acuity.

But his rival in the upcoming presidential election, Donald Trump, may be dealing with much more acute cognitive issues.

Experts are becoming increasingly worried over Trump's condition, Salon reports, with the former president struggling to form coherent sentences and even once again confusing Biden with his predecessor Barack Obama during a rally in North Carolina this month.

"Not enough people are sounding the alarm, that based on his behavior, and in my opinion, Donald Trump is dangerously demented," psychologist and former Johns Hopkins Medical School professor John Gartner, who wrote a book about Trump's mental health, told Salon.

"This is a tale of two brains," he added. "Biden's brain is aging. Trump's brain is dementing."

"In my opinion, Donald Trump is getting worse as his cognitive state continues to degrade," Gartner said. "If Trump were your relative, youd be thinking about assisted care right now."

Others agreed.

"It is meaningful because the confusion of people, in contrast to the occasional forgetting of names, is a sign of early dementia, as noted by the Dementia Care Society," licensed psychologist and founder and executive director of the Washington Center For Cognitive Therapy Vincent Greenwoodtold the publication.

As for Trump mispronouncing words like "Venezuela" or "migrant crime," experts tend to agree he's exhibiting early signs of "paraphasia," speech disturbances caused by brain damage, and "not just aging," as Greenwood argued.

And others, like clinical psychologist and Cornell University senior lecturer Harry Segal, who specializes in mental health disorders, offer a more nuanced assessment though not one that inspires much confidence in Trump.

"Since this is an intermittent problem, it suggests that when Trump is especially stressed and exhausted, he suffers cognitive slippage that affects the way he associates words or their meaning," he told Salon. "Note, though, that Trumps pathological lying is itself a form of mental illness, so these cognitive lapses are literally sitting atop what appears to be an already compromised psychological functioning."

And at the end of the day, Trump is still contending with dozens of criminal charges.

Needless to say, none of this bodes well for the future of the country.

More on Trump: Cash-Desperate Donald Trump Meets With Elon Musk

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Doctors Say Trump Is Displaying Clear Signs of Cognitive Issues - Futurism

NASA’s Hubble Telescope Captures "Last Gasp" Of Dying Binary Star System – NDTV

NGC 2346 resides in the constellation Monoceros, NASA said.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) regularly captures stunning images of our universe, leaving space lovers mesmerized. The social media handles of the US Space Agency are a treasure trove for those who love to watch educational videos and fascinating images showcasing Earth and space. Now, in its recent post, the agency's Hubble Space Telescope shared a picture of the "last gasp" of a dying binary star system.

"At the center of the nebula NGC 2346 is a pair of stars that are so close together that they orbit around each other every 16 days! This #HubbleClassic shows the "last gasp" of this binary star system as it dies. Located about 2,000 light-years away, NGC 2346 resides in the constellation Monoceros." NASA said while sharing the image.

It is to be noted that NGC 2346 is a so-called "planetary nebula," which is ejected from Sun-like stars which are near the ends of their lives.

The central star of NGC 2346 is believed to be a relatively near pair of stars that orbit each other every 16 days, which makes the galaxy unusual. It is thought that the binary star was initially farther apart. But one of the binary's components essentially swallowed its companion star as it developed, grew larger, and became a red-giant star.

Subsequently, the companion star spiralled downwards inside the red giant, releasing gas into a ring surrounding the binary system. Later, a faster stellar wind arose perpendicular to the ring and inflated two enormous "bubbles" when the red giant's hot core was revealed. "This two-stage process is believed to have resulted in the butterfly-like shape of the nebula. NGC 2346 lies about 2,000 light-years away from us, and is about one-third of a light-year in size," the European Space Agency explained.

In the image, a two-lobed structure of gas is seen expanding out from a central pinkish region. It almost resembles dark red and orange wings. The black background of the space is dotted with some small stars.

Since being shared, the post has amassed over 58,000 likes and several reactions on the platform.

"Lovely," said a user.

"Hubble is cool," stated another user.

A third user said, "The science is so amazing"

"Wow," remarked a person.

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NASA's Hubble Telescope Captures "Last Gasp" Of Dying Binary Star System - NDTV

Like a Face Drawn in Sand at the Edge of the Sea. Vicissitudes of the Posthuman Forty Years After Foucault’s Death … – Fabula, la recherche en…

WORKSHOP:

Like a Face Drawn in Sand at the Edge of the Sea. Vicissitudes of the Posthuman Forty Years After Foucaults Death.

May 30-31, 2024, Masaryk University, Room M117 Jotova 10, Brno, Czech Republic.

Does man really exist? To imagine, for an instant, what the world and thought and truth might be if man did not exist, is considered to be merely indulging in paradox. This is because we are so blinded by the recent manifestation of man that we can no longer remember a time and it is not so long ago when the world, its order, and human beings existed, but man did not.

M. Foucault, The Order of Things

Forty years after Foucault's death and sixty after the publication of An Archaeology of the Human Sciences, we would like to invite you to interrogate the posthuman as an open problem and process on the historical and epistemic level. In particular, we would like to discuss whether and how historiographical and methodological issues pertaining to the archeological project have been transformed, scaled down, transposed or partially resolved today.

The Order of Things wished to show the emergence and disappearance of the configurations of knowledge in their empirical arising. Among them, we see man taking his ambivalent place as both mysterious object and sovereign subject of western knowledge, only to soon disappear along the lines of the image we captured in the title. But, however deferred, historiographical and epistemological problems return incessantly, questioning the status of discontinuities in the archaeological project: what backdrop would be able to account for both the emerging and the fading away of orders of identities and differences? To what logic do their mutations respond? What explanation is offered?

According to the archaeological instance, posthuman is then manifestly not a condition of existence but an open process: the uncertain outcome of the mutations of these conditions of possibility, of their precipitation.

What does it mean to question this diagnostic today? What mutations have taken place or struggle to do so? What are the stakes? Would it be legitimate to say that today we speak from the space of knowledge left vacant by the disappearance of the figure of western knowledge that gave rise to the humanities?

The workshop's aim would be to draw a map, though bound to be partial, fragmentary and mobile, of a range of practices both in research and in applied fields related to the tools forged in the debate pertaining to posthumanism. This could be done, on the one hand, by exploring the current functioning of the toolbox elaborated by the thinker in the 1960s and early 1970s, and on the other hand, by interrogating the way in which these tools have been brought into contact and fruitful interaction with different theoretical inputs and epistemic and political instances (feminist, anti-racist, queer, post-colonial, ecological, a.o.).

We look forward to your contribution!

Please submit the title and abstract (no more than 500 words) of your contribution by March 24th, 2024, to https://emorob.fss.muni.cz/conferences/2024-foucault40 or by email to: Foucault40Brno@muni.cz

DEADLINE: March 24th

VENUE: May 30-31, 2024, Masaryk University, Room M117 Jotova 10, Brno, Czech Republic.

The workshop is supported by the project EMOROB (2023-2027) Robots, Computing the Human and Autism/ Cultural Imaginations of Autism Diagnosis and Emotion AI (EXPRO GAR_ 2023/23/GX23-05692X), FSS MU.

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Like a Face Drawn in Sand at the Edge of the Sea. Vicissitudes of the Posthuman Forty Years After Foucault's Death ... - Fabula, la recherche en...

I created an AI app in 10 minutes and I might never think about artificial intelligence in the same way again – TechRadar

Pretty much anything we can do with AI today might have seemed like magic just a year ago, but MindStudio's platform for creating custom AI apps in a matter of minutes feels like a new level of alchemy.

The six-month-old free platform, which you can find right now under youai.ai, is a visual studio for building AI workflows, assistants, and AI chatbots. In its short lifespan it's already been used, according to CEO Dimitry Shapiro, to build more than 18,000 apps.

Yes, he called them "apps", and if you're struggling to understand how or why anyone might want to build AI applications, just look at OpenAI's relatively new GPT apps (aka GPTs). These let you lock the powerful GPT-3.5 into topic-based thinking that you can package up, share, and sell. Shapiro, however, noted the limits of OpenAI's approach.

He likened GPTs to "bookmarking a prompt" within the GPT sphere. MindStudio, on the other hand, is generative model-agnostic. The system lets you use multiple models within one app.

If adding more model options sounds complicated, I can assure you it's not. MindStudio is the AI development platform for non-developers.

To get you started, the company provides an easy-to-follow 18-minute video tutorial. The system also helps by offering a healthy collection of templates (many of them business-focused), or you can choose a blank template. I followed the guide to recreate the demo AI app (a blog post generator), and my only criticism is that the video is slightly out of date, with some interface elements having been moved or renamed. There are some prompts to note the changes, but the video could still do with a refresh.

Still, I had no trouble creating that first AI blog generator. The key here is that you can get a lot of the work done through a visual interface that lets you add blocks along a workflow and then click on them to customize, add details, and choose which AI model you want to use (the list includes GPT- 3.5 turbo, PaLM 2, Llama 2, and Gemini Pro). While you don't necessarily have to use a particular model for each task in your app, it might be that, for example, you should be using GPT-3.5 for fast chatbots or that PaLM would be better for math; however, MindStudio cannot, at least yet, recommend which model to use and when.

Image 1 of 2

The act of adding training data is also simple. I was able to find web pages of information, download the HTML, and upload it to MindStudio (you can upload up to 150 files on a single app). MindStudio uses the information to inform the AI, but will not be cutting and pasting information from any of those pages into your app responses.

Most of MindStudio's clients are in business, and it does hide some more powerful features (embedding on third-party websites) and models (like GPT 4 Turbo) behind a paywall, but anyone can try their hand at building and sharing AI apps (you get a URL for sharing).

Confident in my newly acquired, if limited, knowledge, I set about building an AI app revolving around mobile photography advice. Granted, I used the framework I'd just learned in the AI blog post generator tutorial, but it still went far better than I expected.

One of the nice things about MindStudio is that it allows for as much or as little coding as you're prepared to do. In my case, I had to reference exactly one variable that the model would use to pull the right response.

There are a lot of smart and dead-simple controls that can even teach you something about how models work. MindStudio lets you set, for instance, the 'Temperature' of your model to control the randomness of its responses. The higher the 'temp', the more unique and creative each response. If you like your model verbose, you can drag another slider to set a response size of up to 3,000 characters.

The free service includes unlimited consumer usage and messages, some basic metrics, and the ability to share your AI via a link (as I've done here). Pro users can pay $23 a month for the more powerful models like GPT-4, less MindStudio branding, and, among other things, site embedding. The $99 a-month tier includes all you get with Pro, but adds the ability to charge for access to your AI app, better analytics, API access, full chat transcripts, and enterprise support.

Image 1 of 2

I can imagine small and medium-sized businesses using MindStudio to build customer engagement and content capture on their sites, and even as a tool for guiding users through their services.

Even at the free level, though, I was surprised at the level of customization MindStorm offers. I could add my own custom icons and art, and even build a landing page.

I wouldn't call my little AI app anything special, but the fact that I could take the germ of an idea and turn it into a bespoke chatbot in 10 minutes is surprising even to me. That I get to choose the right model for each job within an AI app is even better; and that this level of fun and utility is free is the icing on the cake.

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I created an AI app in 10 minutes and I might never think about artificial intelligence in the same way again - TechRadar

Cygnus Flies to International Space Station – Mirage News

SpaceX

In this image from Jan. 30, 2024, an uncrewed Cygnus cargo spacecraft launches atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, starting its journey to the International Space Station. Launching from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Cygnus carries 8,200 pounds of science investigations and cargo to support dozens of research experiments. This is Northrop Grumman's 20th cargo flight to the orbiting laboratory.

Watch NASA+ for live coverage of Cygnus's approach to the space station on Feb. 1, 2024, beginning at 2:45 a.m. EST.

Image Credit: SpaceX

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Cygnus Flies to International Space Station - Mirage News

Nasa builds towards new space stations – Electronics Weekly

The US Space Agency highlights the work of its three competing commercial space station partners Axiom Space, Orbital Reef and Starlab for the design and development of possible new orbital destinations.

We are ending the year on a high note with multiple important milestones being completed by our partners, said Angela Hart, manager of the Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program at NASA Johnson Space Center. Over the past few months, we have been able to dig into the details of the specific hardware and processes of these stations and are moving forward to multiple comprehensive design reviews next year.

For example, Axiom Space, which holds a firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract with NASA, is on schedule to launch and attach its first module, says the agency. The module is named Axiom Hab One, and is due to attach to the International Space Station in 2026.

Four modules are planned for the Axiom Commercial Segment attached to the station. And after the space stations retirement, the Axiom Commercial Segment will separate and become a free-flying commercial destination, named Axiom Station.

The hatches of the Axiom Hab One module are fabricated and prepared to undergo pressure testing to ensure a strong enough seal to withstand the vacuum of space, writes Nasa. Manufacturing of the Axiom Hab One module is underway, and the critical design review will occur in 2024. During this review, NASA will assess the maturity of the Axiom Space design and provide feedback necessary to ensure safe operations when it is attached to the International Space Station.

The Jeff Bezos-backed Blue Origin, which was awarded a contract by Nasa in 2021 to develop a free-flying space station named Orbital Reef, has also recently completed tests, reports the agency for a window system and a structural demonstration. It writes:

For the structural test, Blue Origin used a prototype of their space stations main module, called the Core, to demonstrate the manufacturing processes required to build the final pressurized modules of the station. The test supports validation of the structural models and analytical tools for the Cores structural design.

The International Space Stations cupola, a room with seven windows overlooking the Earth, is the cornerstone of crewed missions for both research and astronaut morale. Orbital Reef will incorporate multiple windows on its Core, with each window spanning about twice the size of a car windshield. For the window test, Blue Origin evaluated the window integration structure design concept and its performance against the pressures and temperatures the windows will be exposed to while in orbit.

The third example given of progress for a new space station involved Starlab, a station being developed by Voyager Spaces Exploration Segment, in partnership with Airbus and Northrop Grumman.

Voyager Space recently completed three milestones, said the North American agency: a system definition review and the initiation of two pairs of milestones for an optical link demonstration and alternative urine processor demonstration.

Free-space optical, also called laser communications, allows for higher data rates and more energy-efficient communications than radio frequency communication systems. A major goal of the optical communication demonstration is to conduct testing from the International Space Station to the ground to establish the capabilities needed for Starlab. This initial milestone, within the optical link demonstration milestone pair scope, validated the Starlab testing plan. The optical link is planning to be tested next on the International Space Station.

You can read more on the Nasa website.

The ISS is expected to be deorbited by a dedicated NASA spacecraft in 2031.

Image: Axiom Space A hatch of the Axiom Hab One module, which will attach the module to the ISS.

See also: Nasa invites students to rise to 2024 Human Exploration Rover Challenge

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Nasa builds towards new space stations - Electronics Weekly

How to get the secret ending in Cyberpunk 2077 – Gamesradar

The Cyberpunk 2077 secret ending is one that's gated behind have a good relationship with your intercranial buddy, Johnny Silverhand. Problem is, that's based on choices you might've made across Cyberpunk 2077 long before now, so unless you're willing to reload and play from some save made twenty hours ago or even more, those who have antagonised the artificial punk rocker might be stuck. But, if you want the secret ending in Cyberpunk 2077 - and it's definitely one of the cooler Cyberpunk 2077 endings - we can explain how to unlock the option for this secret Cyberpunk 2077 ending.

Obviously, there are huge Cyberpunk 2077 spoilers beyond the image below, so only scroll if you dare.

There's a lot of talk that you need to be on really good terms with Johnny to get the secret ending, with a relationship status of at least 70%. If you do want to check your Johnny Silverhand relationship, it's the central box at the top of the pause menu labelled "Synergy". However, certain key dialogue options seem to be far more important to unlocking the secret ending.

The key thing is to basically be nice to Johnny and let him do what he wants - if he wants to smoke, drink, take over your body, let him. Just to be safe.

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At crucial points in the game, you have to choose options that improve your relationship with Silverhand. The easy way to do this is just let him do whatever he wants when the option comes up. Generally the actions that please Johnny are obvious - letting him go out and doing what he wants.

However, an early mission, Chippin' In, appears to have a big impact at the graveyard scene via the dialogue alone. It's easy to miss this as it can happen a long time before the ending, depending on how you progress through the game. To improve your chances, pick these Cyberpunk 2077 secret ending dialogue options at this point in the game:

When you reach the final point in the final mission, Nocture OP55N1, you'll be on the roof with Johnny. At this point you'll need to do the following:

With that, you'll launch into this Cyberpunk 2077 secret ending where you, and only you, blast your way through the Arasaka building. This is not to be taken lightly as every enemy will be a very high level, so you need to grind a bit before you attempt it. Plus, it's a one-strike-you're-out deal, so if you die at any point, you'll fail and be sent straight to the credits. Told you it was hardcore.

Doing this mission will earn you some exclusive in-game content that's unavailable elsewhere, so definitely make sure to check it out if you can.Of course, Phantom Liberty also added its own new ending for the full game too, so there are six endings for Cyberpunk 2077, including this secret one.

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How to get the secret ending in Cyberpunk 2077 - Gamesradar

A Short History of Pepe the Frog Memes – The Daily Dot

Pepe started his life as a laid-back cartoon frog but memes transformed him into an alt-right villain. The evolution of this cultural phenomenon is emblematic of the relationship between online culture and politics. Lets take a deeper dive into the history of how this frog went from the protagonist of the comic Boys Club, to an online antagonist.

Originally created by Matt Furie in 2005 for the comic Boys Club, Pepe, an anthropomorphic green frog, began his journey as an innocent cartoon character armed with the catchphrase, Feels good, man, that captured the essence of his easy-going nature.

Pepes transition into a meme began around 2008, when his image started gaining traction on platforms like MySpace, Gaia Online, and 4chan. Pepe evolved into various iterations, including Sad Frog, Smug Frog, Angry Pepe, and Feels Frog. Each variant reflected a different emotional state or reaction, making Pepe a versatile character for online expression.

By 2015, Pepe had become a staple on sites like 4chan and Tumblr, with rare Pepes circulating as virtual trading cards.

Stupid realisation and theory about Pepe the Frog and NFTs

However, the characters widespread popularity took a darker turn when Pepe the Frog was co-opted by the alt-right movement in 2015 and 2016.

The metamorphosis of Pepe intoa symbol of hate and bigotrywas alarming and led to itsinclusion in the Anti-Defamation Leagues hate symbol database. However, it was noted that not all Pepe memes were hate-based. This appropriation of Pepe caused distress to creator Matt Furie,who even took legal actionagainst the misuse of his frog cartoon.

In 2019, Pepes image was again appropriated as a symbol of the protests in Hong Kong. Unlike its use as a representation of hate in the United States, Pepes image in Hong Kong was not tied to alt-right ideologies, something Furie openly welcomed.

The reappropriation of Pepes image as a symbol of resistance against an oppressive state showed how the meme continued to be usurped by various online communities, constantly shifting the meaning of this anthropomorphic frog.

As Pepe memes proliferated, the character appeared in various contexts, sometimes even devoid of any political connotation. From Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj tweeting Pepe memes, to Donald Trumps use of a Presidential Pepe, the frog permeated various levels of pop culture and social media. However, some did not consider these newer uses as a full reclamation of the character from its alt-right connotations.

The story of Pepe the Frog is a testament to the ability of the internet to confer new meaning on characters and images. What started as a comic character became a globally recognized meme, a symbol of political movements, and a contentious icon appropriated for hateful causes. But Pepes journey highlights the fluid nature of digital symbols and their ability to embody vastly different meanings to different groups of people.

Pepes evolution also raises questions about the ownership and transformation of digital content in an age where memes can become powerful tools for communication and expression.

While Pepes journey has been tumultuous, it underscores the dynamic nature of internet culture and its impact on society. Pepe remains a potent symbol in the ever-evolving landscape of online expression, embodying the whimsical and controversial aspects of digital communication.

*First Published: Dec 13, 2023, 9:00 am CST

Kahron Spearman is the community manager for the Daily Dot and Nautilus magazine. Hes also a journalist, copywriter, and host of Discovery with Kahron Spearman on KAZI 88.7.

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A Short History of Pepe the Frog Memes - The Daily Dot

Why Cultural Tourism Is Exploding In Popularity In The Mexican Caribbean This Year – The Cancun Sun

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Last Updated 14 hours ago

Not so long ago, the main reason why so many people flocked to the Mexican Caribbean was for one thing: its unmatched beach locations that look like something out of a picture-perfect postcard.

While the Mexican Caribbean remains in no short supply of fabulous beaches for tourists to enjoy, its cultural offerings seem to be putting it on the map like never before and are exploding in popularity this year.

The region is littered with cultural, environmental, and historical sites, with some of them considered part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The cultural tourism sector is bringing in record amounts of money, generating 19,489 million pesos for the economy in 2022, and is quickly becoming one of the most appreciated sectors by international visitors.

Soon to become inaugurated in the coming days, the new Maya Train, a billion-dollar infrastructure project that has been years in the making, is going to unlock the Yucatan Peninsula for all tourists and locals, making cultural tourism even more accessible than ever before.

Local authorities have been investing money to fund the Archeological Zone Improvement Program (Promeza), which aims to uncover, expand, and open more historical sites and take advantage of this sudden boom in the sectors popularity.

Now, thanks to the Maya Train and New Tulum International Airport, tourists will be able to reach some incredible archeological zones that would have once been more difficult to reach, such as El Meco, El Rey, San Miguelito, Paamul II, Tulum, Coba, the Nohuch Mul pyramid, Muyil, Chacchoben, Ichkabal, Oxtankah, and Kinichna.

With affordable tickets which are linked here, there is now no reason for you to spend your entire vacation sitting on the beach, and instead can enjoy some of the breathtaking cultural attractions that the region has to offer.

Newer to the growing trend that is cultural tourism? Weve got you covered.

Here are some places to check out that exist on the new Maya Train route and are perfect for a first-time visit, though some will not be accessible until the full launch in February 2024, such as Tulum.

The third most visited archeological site in all of Mexico, the Tulum Ruins are iconic for their ruined ancient temples that sit above the clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico atop the cliffside and have become a standout image synonymous with the region.

Built by the Ancient Mayans, these incredible structures still stand today and are rich in history, dating back as early as 564.

Below the ruins lie some beautiful beaches that tourists have access to, making it a full-day trip kind of place if you so wish.

Lesser known than the Tulum Ruins and a little more rugged in its execution, Coba is another archeological site that will capture your interest.

Complete with a 138-foot-tall pyramid and ball court that would have been used by the ancient Mayan civilisation over 1000 years ago, this site is a must-see and perfect for any wildlife lovers, who can witness monkeys who inhabit the area, as well as (on rare occasions) jaguars and panthers in the surrounding jungles.

Cob was once a major hub of Mayan civilization, and will capture your imagination once you visit, transporting you to a seminal time period in history.

Surrounded by lush jungles and a little more tucked away from the more popular archeological sites in the region, Muyil will make you feel at one with nature, away from the busyness of hotel zones and shopping malls.

The 55-foot pyramid known as El Castillo is a stand-out structure, different from any other historical site in the Mexican Caribbean, alongside other ancient pyramids and ruins which are covered by the luscious jungle mangroves as its backdrop.

Among them lies a path from El Castillo which leads to the biggest attraction at the site; the Muyil Lagoon.

Once you have explored the ancient ruins, you can escape the hot Mexican sun and find some peace and tranquillity here, with guided boat tours on offer if you so wish.

Saving the best for last, Chichn Itz is the undisputed, most popular archeological site in the Mexican Caribbean.

Now considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, this breathtaking location will give you an insight into the technologically advanced architecture that was built by ancient Mayan civilizations to create jaw-dropping pyramids, temples, and structures that have stood the test of time.

The Pyramid of Kulkulkan is the sites main attraction which towers over the jungle, and is a must-see during the spring and autumn equinoxes when the setting sun creates the image of a snake slithering through the pyramids steps!

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Why Cultural Tourism Is Exploding In Popularity In The Mexican Caribbean This Year - The Cancun Sun

The Pentagon’s X-37B "spycraft" is shrouded in mystery and whispers – Earth.com

The Pentagons X-37B, an unmanned drone, is gearing up for a mission that is set to launch today at 8:14 pm Eastern time. This small spacecraft is less than 30 feet in length and under 10 feet in height. It has a pair of compact wings and a rounded, bulldog-like nose.

Often compared to a miniature space shuttle, the purpose and capabilities of X-37B remain shrouded in mystery. Is it a covert weapon, a stealth technology, or something else? These questions linger as the Pentagon maintains its silence.

For the first time, the X-37B will be launched on SpaceXs powerful Falcon Heavy rocket. This shift to a more potent launcher hints at a potential higher orbit speculation that is supported by recent documents.However, the exact nature and purpose of its higher orbit activities remain undisclosed. SpaceX secured the $130 million contract for this launch back in 2018.

The Pentagon remains tight-lipped about the specific activities of the X-37B in its higher orbit, stating only that the mission involves a wide range of test and experimentation objectives. These include operating in new orbital regimes and experimenting with future space domain awareness technologies.

The focus on space domain awareness hints at the X-37Bs potential role in monitoring satellites and guarding against threats in space a mission that closely aligns with the objectives of the U.S. Space Force.

General Chance Saltzman, the Space Forces chief of space operations, emphasized the increasing threats to U.S. space systems.

Our space systems are threatened by a variety of growing anti satellite capabilities, and the joint force is threatened by increasingly sophisticated adversary space-based systems intended to target the joint force, General Saltzman said in a statement to Congress earlier this year.

One thing that is known about X-37Bs mission is that the vehicle will expose plant seeds to the harsh radiation environment of long-duration spaceflight in an experiment for NASA.

The X-37B, built by Boeing, has previously been used to test cutting-edge technologies like a small solar panel for transforming solar energy into microwaves, a concept that could enable space-to-Earth energy transmission. The spacecraft has also deployed small satellites, but their purposes remain undisclosed.

The U.S. government is in this weird place where they brag publicly about how amazing it is and cutting edge, but will not provide any info about it, said Brian Weeden, the director of program planning at the Secure World Foundation.

Weeden suggests that much of the speculation surrounding the vehicle is likely off-base, with its mystique being its most defining trait. Secure World downplays the likelihood of the X-37B being used as an orbital weapons system for attacking ground targets.

The X-37B is more likely employed for the purposes stated by the Pentagon: testing reusable space launch vehicle technologies and on-orbit testing of new sensor technologies and satellite hardware. This hasnt stopped nations like China from perceiving the X-37B as a symbol of U.S. space militarization.

Chinas own secretive reusable space plane, the Shenlong, has completed two missions, with its latest lasting 276 days in orbit. Like the X-37B, the Shenlong is shrouded in secrecy, with no publicly released photos. This apparent mimicry of the American model suggests Chinas interest in similar space capabilities.

The X-37Bs history spans over a decade in space, with each mission exceeding the duration of the last. Its last flight ended in November 2022 after 908 days in orbit. General David Thompson of the Space Force hinted at exciting plans for the X-37B. He acknowledges its role as a remarkable test bed and experimentation vehicle.

The upcoming Mission 7 of the X-37B, launching on the Falcon Heavy, will include a mixture of innocuous civilian NASA science and military experimentation with space domain awareness. This combination of civilian and military objectives underscores the dual nature of the mission.

The X-37Bs development history is intertwined with NASA, the Air Force, and Boeings Phantom Works. Initially envisioned as a lifeboat for the International Space Station, its design evolved to meet various military and experimental needs. The spacecrafts ability to deploy solar arrays in orbit allows for extended missions, a capability unmatched by the Space Shuttle.

The X-37Bs design suggests potential for covert operations, such as retrieving or inspecting foreign satellites without detection. The U.S. has expressed concerns about similar activities by nations like Russia and China, highlighting the strategic importance of space domain awareness.

In summary, the combination of the X-37B and Falcon Heavy opens up possibilities for high-energy orbits and advanced military capabilities in space. While the specifics of the X-37Bs upcoming mission remain classified, its launch signals the U.S.s intent to maintain dominance in space.

Image Credit: AP / U.S. Air Force

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The Pentagon's X-37B "spycraft" is shrouded in mystery and whispers - Earth.com