In the future, will you own your digital self? This futurist thinks so – CBC.ca

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Danzig

Technological change has already had a massive impact on how we approach our personal identity online and off. As our digital presence continues to evolve, we can expect more change to come.

Tracey Follows is a futurist who's thought a lot about this.

"I think people have come to the conclusion that as more and more public services are delivered digitally, and as more governments are kind of trying to morph themselves into technology platforms themselves, there are lots of meetings with nations saying they want to become digital nations," said Follows,author of The Future of You.

"If those public services have become digital, we can't just be analog people in a digitally serviced world. We need an access point to those services. And that really is going to rely on a digitization of the self. We have a digital identity, a personal identity in the physical, analogworld. We need to convert that into layers of information that can be machine readable."

Follows spoke with Spark host Nora Young about what possible future identity trends might mean down the road.

Here is part of their conversation.

This is already underway, right? I believe it's called Aadhaar, that's India's 12-digit biometrically linked digital ID system. So this is a process that's underway?

Well, that's a good point, because that is a very centralized system of digital identity, as you point out, much like the Chinese system where there is a unique identifier, and in particular with India, that is linked to a biometric. And this is the big debate:is it a centralized digital identity scheme where literally the government or big tech or private enterprises that run technology services, know your identity, and that's the way they deliver the services? Or could we have a decentralized system that is much more flat, much more peer to peer,that's based on cryptographic technology, where we as owners of selves, and owners of our digital self, have much more control over which layers of information we allow other people of institutions to see.

Yeah, let's dig into that a little bit. Because you do raise the prospect that we might end up with this very decentralized digital ID that lives on the blockchain that will give us more individual control over our identities. Can you explain a bit more how that would work?

One I would highlight is verifiable credentials, the sorts of credentials that you can keep in a digital wallet, much like you would keep a credential like a driving license, or maybe your passport or some sort of office-related passcodeor something like [it] that you might keep in your physical wallet. So it might have our age, it might have our location, our residence.

This new system of verifiable credentials would have an institution or an organization put in a proof request, and that proof request would be matched with a proof response. When these two proof requests and proof responses match, it dings and says to the organization that is requesting my verification or authentication, "yes, she's verified or authenticated."And that's done without me having to share any personal information whatsoever.

I think one of the things that people really worry about when they hear the words digital identity, is that there's going to be a lot of trackable, traceable information, so that an institution or an organization, maybe even the government, knows everywhere I've been, but that's not necessarily the case. Somebody somewhere, has got a copy of my passport, a copy of my address, and a utility bill, etc, etc. This is all over the place in the physical world, but because we don't see it, and we don't worry about it, we're not necessarily that aware. These sorts of systems, like verifiable credentials, are privacy protecting, so they're trying to circumvent that kind of data leakage, or that idea that I have lots of personal information flying around in the world that I'm not in control of.

In the book, you also explore what we might think of as the more philosophical side of identity, that as we start to spend more and more time online, we start to perform different aspects of our identities online, which I think we're certainly already starting to do. How do you think that might affect our sense of personal identity as we do this more and more?

I try and look to the future and think about, well, how will this be in the future when we have virtual reality? Will this just exacerbate where we have multiple personalities or identities that we want to express in many, many different virtual circumstances? Or will we have different avatars that we can send off to various meetings and actually end up being in three or four different meetings all at once with our three or four different avatars? So all of these possible scenarios are yet to be seen. But we can have a think about whether we think what is happening on social media will apply in virtual reality, too.

I think, I'm hoping actually, that virtual reality will quell some of the disagreement and some of the aggression that we see, certainly on some social platforms, and I'm thinking about Twitter, obviously, in particular, because as Marshall McLuhan said, "violence is a quest for identity."So when we see people being really quite aggressive and fairly obnoxious, sometimes on a social media platform, it's really a quest for identity. They're trying to overcompensate, trying to communicate themselves in an environment where we don't really have the tools to fully represent ourselves. It's just a few characters. It's just a bit of text and a strange profile picture.

In virtual reality we'll probably have haptics [touch-based functionality].We'll have a much greater sense of awareness. We'll be in a 3D, more absorbing, engaging, immersive environment. So in a sense, we'll have a much more rounded, complex, richer identity, and one hopes because of that, we won't need to overcompensate and fight for the idea of our own personal identity in these spaces.

Do you think this is going to start to become a political issue? I'm thinking of the example of the Sidewalk Labs Smart City pilot project that was being considered for a while in my hometown of Toronto. There was a lot of pushback from activists and citizens, challenging, where's the data going? Do you think we're going to start to see more politicized conversations about things like what's being done with our data, what's being done with our identity?

I really think we are, especially with the emergence of [a decentralized,blockchain-based]Web3, which is very different to a Google, Facebook, Web 2.0 world where data is all centralized and owned by those platforms, and harvested for their own commercial gain, versus a world of Web3, where I control my own data to a certain extent.

As Web3 becomes much more of a challenger, I think exactly that will happen. There will be a much more politicized conversation, because people will become aware that there is actually an alternative system. I don't think people have really considered there is much of an alternative system until now, because we've all got very used to the convenience and the frictionlessness of these sorts of services that we use as utilities day in, day out now. I think it's going to challenge what we've become used to and what we think of as the status quo.

Written by McKenna Hadley-Burke. Produced by Nora Young and Michelle Parise.Q&A has been condensed for length and clarity. To hear the full conversation with Tracey Follows, press the play button at the top of the page.

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In the future, will you own your digital self? This futurist thinks so - CBC.ca

Scientists Intrigued by Treatment That Put Every Single Patient’s Cancer Into Remission – Futurism

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Danzig

Doctors working on an experimental cancer treatment were heartened when every single patient in a small trial went into remission, their cancer becoming undetectable.

Published in theNew England Journal of Medicine, the paper that resulted from the trial details how all 12 patients who were given the experimental rectal cancer treatment went into remission without having chemotherapy.

"I believe," Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center scientist Luis Diaz Jr told the New York Times, "this is the first time this has happened in the history of cancer."

As an MSK press release about the study describes, study participants were treated to an incredible surprise when, after undergoing six months of the experimental immunotherapy treatment, they learned from their doctors that they were in remission.

The first patient, named Sascha, was preparing to travel to New York to have radiation therapy when she got the call from her oncologist, Andrea Cercek, who said the patient was "stunned and ecstatic" at the news.

"Its incredibly rewarding," Cercek said in the press release, "to get these happy tears and happy emails from the patients in this study who finish treatment and realize, 'Oh my God, I get to keep all my normal body functions that I feared I might lose to radiation or surgery.'"

The MSK doctors behind the study wanted to investigate whether immunotherapy alone could treat cancer, but they never expected it to work this well and especially could not have foreseen that none of the 12 people in the initial trial had adverse reactions to the drug, known as dostarlimab.

Dostarlimab is a checkpoint inhibitor, which "releases the brake on an immune cell, freeing it to recognize and attack cancer cells,"according to the team.

The finding is intriguing, but unlikely to represent a miracle cure. As the NYT cautioned, an average one in five people who take drugs like dostarlimab have an allergic reaction, and as many as 3 to 5 percent have severe reactions that include muscle weakness and trouble chewing and swallowing.

Dr. Alan Venook, a University of California, San Francisco colorectal cancer specialist who wasn't involved in the study, told the NYT that the lack of side effects means that "either they did not treat enough patients or, somehow, these cancers are just plain different."

Venook is not alone in his caution about the results. The trial was small, with only 12 participants, and has yet to be replicated.

In an editorial published in theNew England Journal of Medicine in tandem with the initial study, Dr. Hanna Sanoff, a gastrointestinal medical oncologist at the University of North Carolina who was also not involved in the study, wrote that the "small but compelling" trial needs more time before doctors can fully understand the results.

"Very little is known," Sanoff wrote, "about the duration of time needed to find out whether a clinical complete response to dostarlimab equates to cure."

All the same, these unprecedented results are clearly pretty exciting for doctors and patients alike.

READ MORE:Rectal Cancer Disappears After Experimental Use of Immunotherapy [Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center]

More immunotherapy:Scientists Complete First Human Test of Vaccine Against Brain Cancer

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Scientists Intrigued by Treatment That Put Every Single Patient's Cancer Into Remission - Futurism

Priyanka Chopras Robert Wun number oscillates between intriguing realms of futurism and fashion – VOGUE India

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Danzig

Jun 09, 2022 | 13:40:22 IST Chopra takes forward her Bulgari ambassadorship in a hard-to-miss Robert Wun number

Its been a hot minute since the Quanticostar donned an orange sequin Rasario gown for Bulgaris Jewelery Gala in Paris. While Chopras fascination with shimmer and sequins is the thing of dreams, it was outlived by another of her extravagant, bold looks that she has been opting for lately. Robert Wun, known for his inventive, cutting-edge designs that celebrate the female form, unveiled an ethereal contrast gown where fashion collided with futurism. Be it the masterful juggling of shapes and forms, or the razor-sharp contrast of black and white the contrast dove gown taking over the internet. While on one hand she left fashion enthusiasts stunned with this sartorial statement outfit, on the other hand, Instagram was flooded with a thread of memes relating the gowns resemblance to that of pencil shavings. Either way, the Priyanka ChoprasRobert Wun gown was undoubtedly a conversational piece to begin with. Scroll down to know the details of her look.

Chopra, in collaboration with her long term stylist Law Roach, donned Robert Wuns statement floor-grazing number featuring asymmetrical, dramatic white ruffles layered over a black fitted bodycon dress. The contrasting details blends flawlessly with the softness of the pleated elements, enhancing Chopras hourglass shape. Similar to her previous Rasario number, Chopra veered to her usual plunging neckline. With a sensuous tie-up detail at the back, the halter-neck gown was styled with an emerald embellished Bulgari necklace and earrings.

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Priyanka Chopras Robert Wun number oscillates between intriguing realms of futurism and fashion - VOGUE India

Food supply chains are in crisis. Could these futuristic farms fix that? – Global News

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Danzig

The first time Cesar Cappa stepped foot on the farm, he thought he was on another planet.

He grew up on a small family farm in Argentina. But this facility, located just outside of Guelph, Ont., was unlike anything he had ever seen.

I thought I was on Mars. Its incredible, he says. You dont realize the magnitude of something like this, a project like this, until you see it with your own eyes.

Towers of large metal trays, full of leafy greens, are stacked on top of each other in a large warehouse bathed in a bright fuchsia light. Theres an earthy scent in the air and the room is ever so slightly humid.

Indeed, if humans were to inhabit the moon or Mars someday, GoodLeaf Farms facility is a blueprint of how produce could be grown. The 45,000-square-foot facility is the largest vertical farm in Canada. GoodLeaf grows baby lettuce, spinach, arugula and an assortment of microgreens using the latest agricultural technology.

If greenhouses are the suburbs of farming, then vertical farms are the condos. By stacking layers of crops, growers can produce a great deal of food even where real estate is scarce and the weather isnt agreeable. LED lights replace the sun and the plants receive nutrients through recycled water rather than soil.

Every aspect of this environment is controlled and optimized for growth, from the hue of the lights to the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. The result is astounding: higher crop yields that require less space and 95 per cent less water than a traditional farm. And theres no need for pesticides, herbicides or fungicides.

Cappa is the head grower at GoodLeaf Farms. He studies how the crops interact with their manufactured environment in order to make the system more efficient. While giving me a tour of the facility, Cappa says its technically possible to grow a variety of produce in these conditions. But so far, leafy greens are what the company has perfected and whats profitable. This single facility provides roughly 70,000 pounds of leafy greens to grocery stores across southern Ontario each month.

I really think were making a difference in terms of food security for Canada, Cappa says. This is pretty much the only way to grow produce year-round.

Canada currently imports most of its leafy greens from California. But labour shortages and an unprecedented drought have led to supply chain disruptions over the last two years, exposing how precarious it is to rely exclusively on produce from abroad.

By the time we get lettuce in Vancouver, its already travelled for eight days and its shelf life is really only about 10 days, says Lenore Newman, the director of the Food and Agriculture Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley.

So when it comes into the distributor, they usually throw away a third to 40 per cent of what they bought. And when you take whats left home, youve only got a couple of days to make a salad, max.

More than $18 billion of food is wasted each year in Canada at this stage of the food cycle. That food ends up in landfill, where it releases tonnes of methane gas a greenhouse gas 25 times more powerful at trapping heat in our atmosphere than carbon dioxide as it decomposes.

So you take a look at all of those elements and you say, is there an alternative? Is there a better way? says Barry Murchie, the CEO of GoodLeaf Farms. This is an example of how technology and agriculture have merged to create an alternative that is really better in every element.

Vertical farms have become a solution to many of the issues plaguing traditional outdoor farming. They are impervious to the effects of climate change, occupy less land, use fewer resources, grow produce faster, and cut out long-haul transportation and fertilization emissions. These farms are also scalable, meaning they can be as big or small as the community they serve.

Commercial vertical farms have started popping up near many of Canadas major cities. In Quebec, producers are growing strawberries and mushrooms indoors. In B.C., urban vertical farms have focused on herbs and microgreens. GoodLeaf is expanding, too two new facilities are underway in Montreal and Calgary.

With all of the benefits attached to vertical farming and really no downside, its only going to continue to get bigger and expand, says Murchie. His goal is to build a national network of vertical farms across Canada.

This technology is also being used in rural and remote areas where fresh fruits and vegetables are expensive or unavailable.

In 2016, Opaskwayak Cree First Nation in northern Manitoba began operations at their vertical farm. The facility, which was made possible through partnerships with the federal government and the University of Manitoba, provides fresh vegetables to its 6,420 members, year-round.

With all these benefits, you might wonder why we dont just grow everything this way. There is a catch: these farms require a lot of electricity. How sustainable these farms are depends, in part, on where that power comes from.

GoodLeaf sources its energy through the Ontario power grid, which uses a mix of natural gas, nuclear, hydroelectricity, wind and solar. The company estimates its carbon footprint is half that of a traditional farm. Its Guelph facility, though, does use peat as its substrate, which is a natural carbon sponge many people want left in the ground. It is composted and upcycled into landscaping material after use.

As LED technology improves and brings down energy costs, Newman says she anticipates more farmers moving their crops indoors, especially as they contend with the more severe weather to come.

During the heat dome (in 2021), it was 39 degrees on my front porch in Vancouver and I was getting reports of fruit actually cooking on the vine, Newman says. We had massive crop loss due to that and then, we had flooding. Were really seeing people say, well, what can we do?

With the worlds population expected to climb to 10 billion by 2050, we will need to produce more food while confronting climate change. The United Nations estimates that food production will need to increase by 70 per cent to meet increasing food demand.

Nearly 40 per cent of the earths land surface is already used for agriculture. Of that, about one-third is cropland, while the remaining two-thirds is used for grazing livestock.

The animal protein sector is one of the urgent issues facing humanity, says Newman. We know demand for protein is rising rapidly. We cant scale animal agriculture to make it any bigger.

The greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the cultivation of animals for food, as well as livestock feed, are twice that of plant-based food production, according to a 2021 study. Beef and cow milk production are the worst culprits, contributing 25 per cent and 10 per cent of emissions, respectively.

As the granddaughter of proud dairy farmers, even this writer found that statistic a hard pill to swallow.

I grew up drinking a glass of milk at breakfast and dinner something my mother still enjoys. I revere my grandparents for their hard work; my grandfather and grandmother would go up to the barn at 5:00 each morning to milk the cows, returning after 8:00 most evenings.

Farming is in my blood, but its difficult to square this part of my identity with my environmental bent and affinity for animals. Many people experience a similar quandary; almost half of Canadians are concerned about the environmental impacts of animal consumption, according to a recent survey, but the vast majority of Canadians continue to eat meat. (In recent years, though, there has been more of a general effort to reduce meat consumption.)

Theres a name for this cognitive dissonance: the meat paradox. Author Rob Percival, who wrote a book by the same name, says our societys relationship with the animals we consume is fundamentally broken.

The split between what we say we believe and the values we hold and what we do is becoming increasingly apparent, Percival says. Were very detached from what goes on and wrapped up in all these psychological strategies of evasion and denial.

This tension is becoming more pronounced, he argues, due to the worsening climate crisis and the growing availability of plant-based alternatives that make a vegetarian or vegan diet more attainable.

But for those who simply dont want to give up meat, scientists are working hard on an ethical and sustainable alternative. In highly secretive labs across the Bay Area in the U.S., various biotech companies are growing poultry, beef, seafood and dairy products from cells.

One such company is Wildtype, a cell-based seafood company producing a very convincing replacement for wild Pacific salmon.

In its San Francisco-based facility, microscopic salmon cells harvested from a fish are grown into a perfectly rectangular sushi-grade filet ready for consumption. Wildtype co-founder Arye Elfenbein first worked with stem cells as a cardiologist. Then on a visit to Australia, where he grew up, he watched as cattle grazed where a lush rainforest once was and got to thinking: Do we need animals to have meat? Could we just create what we consume just outside of the animal?

The question propelled him and his business partner, Justin Kolbeck, into the emerging field of cellular agriculture. The pair decided to focus on salmon because it is the most consumed finfish in the U.S., and Elfenbein says, it was also a way for them to give back to their hometown fish.

Wild salmon stocks along the West Coast have been struggling for decades due to overfishing and the destruction of natural habitats. Elfenbein hopes that Wildtype salmon will take some pressure off wild fisheries and help them replenish.

There are other benefits too. Wildtype salmon is free of mercury, microplastics and other contaminants commonly found in seafood and it takes only four to six weeks to grow a filet. In comparison, farmed salmon takes about three years to go from egg to harvest.

There have just been more and more of these realizations that our current method of production is not just unsustainable, but also deleterious for our environment and also for our own personal health, says Elfenbein.

The biggest hurdle for Wildtype and other cellular agriculture companies now is scaling up production to a commercial level. For that, cells need to be grown in bioreactors large brewery-style tanks where they can multiply at high densities and volumes. In order to mimic the shape of a filet you might find at a fish market, Wildtype uses a rectangular scaffold that the cells grow into.

Its a complex and costly process, but Wildtype is forging ahead, building a larger production facility as it awaits regulatory approval, which could come as soon as this year in the U.S.

Weve made an enormous amount of progress in terms of coming down that cost curve, says Elfenbein. Our mission is one of greater accessibility. Thats not one that we can reach if we are just selling expensive salmon.

When Wildtype was in the prototype stage, a small serving of sushi-grade salmon cost thousands of dollars to produce, but today, the company says it only costs US$25 to make two pieces of salmon nigiri.

Lab-grown protein, or cultured meat, is still a very new technology. It was just in 2013 that the world was first introduced to the first lab-grown burger to much fanfare. It cost US$330,000 to make and was eaten in a matter of minutes.

In the nine years since, the industry has made leaps and bounds forward, but it is still missing what David Kaplan calls a strong scientific foundation.

Kaplan is a professor at Tufts University and one of the leading researchers into cellular agriculture. At his lab in Boston, he is working to answer the many questions regulators have, including: What is the best nutrient-rich medium to feed the cells? How nutritious is cultured meat compared with traditional meat? How do you produce these products at scale in a cost-effective and sustainable way?

These unanswered questions havent scared off investors, though. Cultured meat and seafood companies secured US$1.4 billion in investments in 2021 the most capital raised in any single year in the industrys history, according to The Good Food Institute, a non-profit that supports and studies alternative protein creation.

There are now dozens of cellular agriculture companies worldwide producing animal products without the animals.

Any new technology takes roughly 20 years to become acceptable. So were embryonic, Kaplan says. However, that does not mean the field cant move fast and become more real in the next few years. It takes a lot of effort by a lot of folks and youre seeing that.

Singapore became the first country in the world to approve the sale of cultured meat at the end of 2020. San Francisco-based Eat Justs lab-grown chicken nuggets are now being sold in restaurants across the region.

In the U.S., you can already buy milk and other dairy products such as ice cream and cream cheese that were made without any cows. Using precision fermentation, a process similar to brewing beer, Perfect Day creates whey protein that is molecularly identical to cow whey protein. It has the taste and texture of traditional dairy, but is naturally free of lactose, hormones and antibiotics and carries a significantly reduced environmental footprint.

We are focused on offering a sustainable alternative to factory farming, says Ravi Jhala, the head of global commercial operations at Perfect Day.

Jhala envisions a world where cow-less whey products replace the supply of dairy milk provided by these large industrial farms, while allowing small family farms to thrive.

These technologies work in tandem with that high-end (product), says Newman. Seventy per cent of dairy in the U.S. goes into powdered milk thats used in food products. We can replace that without even noticing and we can actually make food slightly cheaper, better for us, and we can eliminate a giant chunk of industrial dairy.

Startups in Canada are developing these innovative products too. Toronto-based Cell Ag Tech is working on a cultured snapper. Montreal-based Opalia is creating a cell-based milk. And Edmonton-based Future Fields is selling the liquid medium used to grow the cells.

With the exception of a few skeptics, onlookers in the agri-food sector are optimistic that cellular agriculture is the meat of the future. Studies have already shown that climate-conscious younger people will be resoundingly open to eating cultured protein. And with the price of meat anticipated to continue to rise, lab-grown meat may someday become the cheaper option. Thats when things will get interesting, Newman says.

One hundred and fifty years ago, we ate a lot of wild game. Back then, I might have gone out to get a pigeon pie. What we eat changes, she says.

I quite confidently predict that in 100 years therell be very little animal agriculture on earth. Well look back at industrial slaughter and well say, Wow, its amazing we did that. And the labour conditions were horrible, the animal conditions were terrible. And, wow, we have a way better product.

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Food supply chains are in crisis. Could these futuristic farms fix that? - Global News

What every museum reveals about past, present and future – ArtsHub

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Danzig

Climate change. Social inequity. Global pandemics. These subjects are just as relevant to the present as they are to past and future, and for Museum of Discovery (MOD.) Director Kristin Alford, museums should offer free-ranging dialogue on all of it.

Theres a fascinating discussion to be had here about theories of time, Alford told ArtsHub from her base at the University of South Australias MOD. ahead of her keynote address at the 2022 Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA) conference HEAR.US.NOW.

If you look at neuroscience, the part of our brain thats responsible for imagining the future is the same part that holds memory, she continued.

So, I think theres something important there in terms of how we imagine and interpret stories of the past, present and future its important to acknowledge those similarities, she said.

Alford admitted that as a museum director and futurist she is highly attuned to whats coming next, but she also sees how closely her forecasting aligns with historians journeys through the past.

Futurists always talk about there being multiple futures, and that the future is uncharted and uncertain, Alford explained. But when you speak to historians, they talk very similarly about the past.

Historians talk about how there being many interpretations of the past, and how the past is up for imagining and reimagining.

So, thinking broadly about how people engage with museums, they are coming into spaces where they are expecting to hear stories of place and of people and sense-making out of that, and that applies just as much to the past as it does to present and future, she said.

A lot of Alfords work champions futures literacy a term coined by UNESCO as part of their advocacy for museums and learning worldwide.

UNESCO describes futures literacy as the ability to better understand the role of the future in what we see and do and our capacity to empower our imaginations to prepare, recover and invent in response to changes brought on in the 21st century.

Alford said that in her work at MOD. and as a consultant to other museums, she routinely applies these big-picture ideas to local contexts.

When I think of futures literacy its about the need for our communities to be thinking about the future, and to ensure they have the capabilities to imagine some alternatives futures, and then put some of that imagination [about what the future will look like] into action, she said.

Read: Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallerys new Director is a scientist who loves art

At MOD. Alfords focus is on helping young people, especially those considering tertiary study and careers in STEM, to navigate the future.

We want to present plausible representations of what the future might entail, so we can help them work through some of those uncertainties, she said.

In terms of what other museums can do to filter futures literacy into more of their existing programs, Alford advised that it could be as simple as using their collections to tell stories that can be extended into the future.

Or, they might think about what future questions might be prompted by the collection their featuring, she said.

Alford sees museums as facilitators of curiosity as much as they are experts in their fields, and said this formidable reputation is not something thats likely to be threatened by any new curatorial directions.

Letting people in to discussions around future possibilities, and the ethics around those possibilities is something museums are well placed to do as high trust institutions, Alford said.

Yes, there needs to be that body of expertise and evidence that is held by the institution, she continued. But there are also ways for the museum to invite other ways of knowing into the discussion of a topic.

Alford said this open-mindedness to other knowledge systems is something often seen in the actions of highly capable leaders.

Good leaders will have a good body of expertise and they will know what they are talking about, but theyll also open opportunities for other people to share their lived experiences and share other perspectives, and theyll allow paths of mutual discovery to open, to find out things we dont know, she remarked.

So, good leadership is about being prepared to reconsider and reframe and re-tell. And thats absolutely attributable to the changing nature of the expertise of museums in their being less fixed and authoritative, and being more about capable leadership.

Kristin Alfords keynote address at the 2022 AMaGA conference takes place on Tuesday 14 June, Perth. Browse the conference program.

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What every museum reveals about past, present and future - ArtsHub

Brew a Better Cup With These Coffee Accessories – Futurism

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Danzig

For millions of people, coffee is an essential part of the day. Whether youre into instant coffee or have a barista-style machine in your house, your coffee is only really as good as the tools you use to make it. If youre looking to level up your coffee game, or just want to change up your routine, these accessories can jump start your morning jolt.

Key Selling Point: This medium-roast, fair-trade blend is certified to be USDA Organic.

You cant get a good cup of coffee without, well, good coffee. This blend from Bean & Bean which was started by a mother-daughter duo uses beans from Latin America, Africa, and Asia to deliver a flavor rich with roasted nuts, cedar, and herbs. We also like that the packaging is compostable and recyclable.

Key Selling Point: This small kettle is attractive, lightweight, and award-winning.

This electric kettle from BALMUDA makes two to three cups of coffee and weighs around two pounds. Its spout allows you to easily control the pour, and it takes up little real estate in the kitchen. It's available in black and white models.

Key Selling Point: These reusable pods help you cut down on waste. Its well-documented that single-use coffee pods are terrible for the environment. I definitely sympathize with pod-lovers its just so much easier to pop one in a machine, press a button, and get your favorite cup in seconds. These reusable pods give you the best of both worlds add your favorite blend to them and simply clean them after every use for guilt-free podding.

Key Selling Point: Sweeten your tea or coffee in a healthier way with honey instead of sugar.

Tea lovers, this ones for you. Honey is a great alternative to sugar, and its usually the healthier option. The Coffee Blossom Honey from Dona is sourced from a Guatemalan farm, using honey from the bees that pollinate the farms coffee trees.

Key Selling Point: No need to brew a cup just grab the can in the morning and head out the door.

Taika uses Guittard cocoa and macadamia milk to deliver a rich, creamy mocha latte. We like that this pre-made beverage saves you time in the morning you can either pour it into a mug or drink it straight. Its low-calorie but high in caffeine. Taika also offers a matcha latte, black coffee, oat milk latte, and macadamia latte.

If youre keen on caffeine, theres no need to opt for flat instant coffee. If you want a great mug first thing in the morning or just want to broaden your horizons, look into a great blend or tasty additives to keep yourself from hitting snooze.

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

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Brew a Better Cup With These Coffee Accessories - Futurism

We Just Got the First Peek at NASA’s Artemis Moon Landing Suits – Futurism

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Danzig

In a press frenzy on Wednesday, NASA revealed thatAxiom Space and Collins Aerospace will provide new-and-improved and very expensive spacesuits for the upcoming Artemis Moon landings.

This information is a pretty big deal,which is why observers felt a little disappointed when neither NASA nor the contractors produced any actual imagery of the fits.

Since the announcement, though, we got a sneak peek at the Collinssuits. Honestly? Kinda fire.

The suit, shown above, and the below rendering do appear to be more streamlined than the marshmallow-esque uniforms of astronauts past. Which checks out, given that Collins Aerospace's Dan Burbank a senior technical fellow at the company, not to mention former NASA astronaut said during a press conference that they're going for a sportier, outdoorsy vibe. Moon hike, anyone?

NASA has also made clear that the ensembles in development must be able to fit a variety of body types, as the Artemis III landing, planned for 2025, will be a major moment for diversity in space travel.

"When we get to the Moon, we will have our first person of color and our first woman that will be wearers and users of these suits in space,"said Vanessa Wyche, director of NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston, during the press conference.

Though not much technical detail has been disclosed, there's clearly much to be excited about.

At the end of the day, visiting Earth's OG satellite is cool but it's even better if you look fresh doing it.

More on spacesuits: Scientists Are Trying to Make Spacesuit Underwear Less Putrid

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We Just Got the First Peek at NASA's Artemis Moon Landing Suits - Futurism

Gene therapy showcases technique to extend life in mice – Chemistry World

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Danzig

Mice receiving a gene for a telomere-building enzyme have had their lifespan extended by 41%. Treatment with another gene, this time for follistatin (FST), extended their lives by 36%. Both treatments significantly boosted glucose tolerance, physical performance and stalled body mass decline and fur loss.

The life extension came as a surprise to the researchers. We wanted to see what the effects were [of the gene therapy], explains Hua Zhu at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. In the meantime, we saw that the [24] control mice died, whereas all [36]experimental mice were still alive, so the treatment clearly was significantly increasing the lifespan of the mice.

Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences that cap chromosomes and tend to shorten with ageing. Efforts to extend the healthy lifespan of people is an active area of research, and features a range of techniques such as caloric restriction and small molecules that target metabolic pathways linked to ageing.

The researchers delivered the gene for telomerase reverse transcriptase, which activates and encourages telomere lengthening, and FST, a secretory protein with an important role in muscle development and maintenance, using a herpes virus.

Monthly treatment began in mice aged 18 months. After two months, the treated mice looked stronger and had shinier, healthier fur than controls, which started to lose their fur and suffered declining body weight, notes Zhu. Injections were repeated monthly to sustain high levels of the protein. All mice in control groups died by 29 months, while the mice in the experimental groups died between 38 and 42 months.

Liz Parrish, chief executive of the biotech firm BioViva that provided funding for the research, notes that the next step will be to test the safety and efficacy of the gene therapy in monkeys using weakened strains of a rhesus virus. Based on the result of the monkey studies, we will submit our report to the [US Food and Drug Administration] to give us permission to start clinical trials in humans, she explains.

There are major hurdles for anyone wishing to treat ageing with a gene therapy approach, says Ilaria Bellantuono, a professor of muscular ageing at the University of Sheffield, UK. We find difficulties proposing a drug approach, which is far less expensive and risky, so a gene therapy approach would encounter [a] higher level of resistance.

Bellantuono says that it is still hard for any treatment for ageing to compete with diet and exercise. Therefore, the best approach would be to target an age-related condition such as muscle loss or dementia, she says. This would require a clinical trial to test whether the intervention prevents such conditions.

A preventive trial is very complex. You need to give the treatment. Then wait for the disease to manifest, says Bellantuono. You would need biomarkers, which would tell us within three to six months whether an intervention gene therapy or drug is working.

Peter Lansdorp, a molecular biologist at the University of British Columbia in Canada, notes that ageing is multi-factorial and it seems unlikely that a single protein could have such a large impact on lifespan. He notes also that side effects from repeated activation of the immune system by viral vector infection are of concern in humans, but not so much in mice. First, possible effects of the transgene on viral virulence need to be excluded, Lansdorp says. Next this study needs to be reproduced in mice by other, independent groups.

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Gene therapy showcases technique to extend life in mice - Chemistry World

Dodgers: Mookie Betts Explains Why He Denied the Red Sox Extension Offer – Dodgers Nation

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Danzig

Life could have looked very different for the Dodgers if the Red Sox were playing better. Coming off of a third-place finish in the AL East in 2019, they had to decide what to do with Mookie Betts. The superstar outfielder was set to hit free agency after the 2020 season, and they werent sure how competitive they would be.

Ultimately, they did make an offer to Betts for a long-term extension. That deal was reported to be in the range of $300 million with the number of years often being disputed. The Dodgers would later sign him to a massive 12-year extension that paid out an additional $365 million.

And it sounds like that was the different-maker for Betts in his decision. Speaking with Boston media this week, he talked about receiving an offer to continue playing for the Red Sox. His team just didnt feel like the offer met his value.

There was an offer that was put out there and we just declined and we felt, I just wanted to get my value, man. Thats all. Just like any person that lives, they want to get their value, what theyre worth. Thats pretty much all that that it was. Just the numbers didnt align, which is normal.

Obviously, the Dodgers very much thought he was worth the extra $65 million. They offered him that deal before ever playing a meaningful game. He rewarded that faith in him immediately, leading Los Angeles to its first World Series title since 1988.

But Mookie also made sure to clarify that it really was just business. There was nothing about him not wanting to play in Boston or not enjoying his time there. But when it comes down to it, baseball is a business. And the Dodgers are in the business of paying their players.

Dodgers Coach Reveals Odd Trick Used to Help Tony Gonsolin

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Dodgers: Mookie Betts Explains Why He Denied the Red Sox Extension Offer - Dodgers Nation

DNV and LR Approve Methane Abatement Technology Design to Reduce Slip – The Maritime Executive

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Danzig

Capturing methane from ship's emissions would address one of the key concerns for LNG-fueled ships (file photo)

PublishedJun 8, 2022 4:31 PM by The Maritime Executive

One of the challenges to the future of liquified natural gas as a maritime fuel and a major point of contention from the environmental community is methane slip where unburnt LNG is released into the environment. A Swiss-based climate tech company, Daphne Technologies, reports that it has received design approvals from both DNV and Lloyds Register for a methane abatement technology that addresses the issue.

Environmentalists point out that methane slip is one of the most harmful greenhouse gas emissions as it increases ground-level ozone. While the LNG industry reports that the newest engines greatly reduce or eliminate methane slip, research efforts are also underway to develop solutions to capture unburnt methane from a ships emissions. Using a plug-and-play approach, Daphne Technologies reports its solution reduces over 90 percent of methane slip from LNG-powered engines, providing a life extension to LNG as a marine fuel, and a clear pathway to carbon neutral shipping industry.

As the maritime industry continues its drive towards decarbonization, the use of lower carbon intensity fuels is essential," said Martin Cartwright, Global Business Director Gas Carriers and FSRUs at DNV Maritime. "LNG is a key transition fuel to cut GHGs and other emissions to air today, with the potential to become a net-zero option as more Bio- and E-LNG comes online. LNG fueled vessel orders have developed rapidly over the last several years, and reducing their operational emission by reducing methane slip will only enhance the GHG benefits over conventionally fueled vessels.

Launched as a spin-off from The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne in 2017, Daphne Technology is conducting research and developing systems to help the maritime industry reduce emissions. The company is working on several applications of its technologies for LNG and heavy fuel. The company has developed an energy-efficient process using high-energy electrons that convert pollutants in the exhaust into non-hazardous forms.

Daphne's system uses a plug-and-play designand can be retrofittedonto existing LNG-fueled ships

Daphnes solution is a non-catalytic exhaust gas purification system developed to limit methane slip from LNG fuel engines, in tandem with reducing other emissions such as NOx, SOx, and PM (Black Carbon). Called SlipPure, the system received Approval in Principle from both of the classification societies. SlipPure the company reports can also be combined with carbon capture technologies.

"The transition to sustainable energy sources is fundamentally reshaping the global economy. A dramatic reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions is necessary to reach real-zero," says Dr. Mario Michan, CEO and Founder of Daphne Technology. "The Approval in Principle demonstrates that our technology can be installed on vessels, and is an important milestone for Daphne Technology, bringing us a step closer to deploying and commercializing our SlipPureTM system.

The company expects to proceed to pilot applications and further development to full commercialization of the system. They believe it will be applicable to a broad range of LNG carriers and LNG-fueled ships and retrofitted onto existing ships.

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DNV and LR Approve Methane Abatement Technology Design to Reduce Slip - The Maritime Executive

Wondering How To Win An Impact Award? Here’s What You Need To Know! – B&T

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Danzig

The Australian Impact Awards, powered by Wavia, is the latest of our events to go live, and were excited to see what people bring to the table. So how the heck do you go about winning an Impact award?

For the uninitiated, the Australian Impact Awards, powered by Wavia, is an awards night celebrating those who have made big changes in the tech industry. Promoting the idea of a sustainable future, the awards will highlight individuals who have made promising developments in everything from 3D printing to nanotechnology with the goal of a better future in mind.

Submissions are open, so you can enter yourself or someone you know now but how do you actually get yourself one of these shiny trophies?

First off, youll need to familiarise yourself with the awards themselves, so make sure to check out the website and give it a read.

Next, youll need to figure out what category youre going for. Theres a total of 14 categories available, which can make it pretty daunting, but dont fret! Lets go through them one by one.

Premium Impact Award: This is your all-stars category, where the judges will select a winner who they believe to have made the biggest impact in their respective field. Dont worry too much about this one (unless your ego cant handle the thought of losing, in which case worry quite a bit).

The Peoples Choice Award: The popularity contest of the night. The public will decide who they believe to have made the biggest impact, so if youre gunning for this category make sure you arent making any enemies on Twitter.

Food Sustainability Award: Foodies rejoice! If youre making waves in the food industry for your innovations and sustainable choices, youll want to apply for this one.

Be The Change Award: This ones for those working in governance. Apply here if youre working to make positive change, staying transparent, and not succumbing to evil Senators or anything.

Leading for Change Award: The education category! Youll want to apply for this one if youre a teacher, mentor or educator who believes in helping young people towards a better future.

Life Extension Award: Look, none of us want to die particularly soon. If youre someone working in better quality of life and longer, healthier lifespans, then this could be yours to claim.

Force for Change Award: This award is for the environmentalists, so youll want to apply if youre actively working to make the environment cleaner and healthier.

Spending for Change Award: Shopping is often thought of as having a pretty negative environmental impact, so if youre making change in the field then this award is the one you want.

Playing for Change Award: Not that those working in entertainment need more excuses to win awards, but if you are working on sustainability in the arts then make sure to get a submission in.

Healing for Change Award: Healthcare workers deserve some love too, so heres an award to go for if youre making some strong changes in the health sector.

Innovation for Financial Impact Award: This award is for people working towards global financial sustainability. Nuff said.

Shelter for All Award: Given the current housing market situation, its a good time to celebrate those who are working towards sustainable housing and using environmentally friendly materials!

The Future Is Faster Than You Think: Alright, this ones a little complicated. Basically, this award revolves around the idea of a moonshot a solution to one of the UNs 17 sustainable development goals. Were looking for anyone who can create a moonshot that tackles one of these goals or suggests an 18th check out the Project Moonshot website for more information.

Inclusion: The final category is for those supporting people with disability and making an impact on how disability is viewed in their field. If youre fighting the good fight, then get yourself a submission for this one.

Phew thats the lot of them! Now its time to get yourself a submission again, using the website here. Remember, late entries close on September 12, so dont leave it too late!

If your submission survives the gaze of our experienced judges, then you can expect to see your name on our list of finalists, which will be published on October 21. Then, its just about steeling your nerves until the awards night itself on November 9 at the Calyx in the Royal Botanical Gardens, Sydney!

Remember, tickets are on sale now, and youll need to pick yours up if youre planning on attending the awards night. That includes finalists, so make sure to tick that off as well.

And thats it! Best of luck to all who enter, and we hope to see you all at the event this November as we celebrate some truly remarkable impacts.

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Wondering How To Win An Impact Award? Here's What You Need To Know! - B&T

Stop, in the name of Life | News, Sports, Jobs – The Adirondack Daily Enterprise

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Danzig

At last, summer has come to My Home Town and I know this because the tell-tale sign has appeared.

Is it sunshine and warmth?

No.

Is it black flies and mosquitoes?

No.

Seasonal allergies? Lush green landscape? Shorts and t-shirts?

No no and no.

So what is it?

Its the Saranac Lake near-death experience called crossing our downtown streets. Or more exactly, trying to cross them.

A typical example: Last week, I came out of the post office and wanted to go to the Enterprise building across the street. I look right. No cars in sight. I look left, and at the light, about 50 yards away, a group of cars is approaching.

Plenty of time to get across, I figure. But I figured wrong.

After Im 10 feet into the crosswalk, the lead car speeds up, brushing me back to the sidewalk. The next three cars flash by, bumper to bumper, either unaware or uncaring that I exist, much less want to cross the street even though I have right of way.

I flash them the Hawaiian peace sign, hoping one of themll see it in their rearview mirror, but knowing they wont.

Then I get a break. No cars are coming in either direction, so I sprint across the street and get to the other side untouched but unmollified.

So what about Saranac Lake in summer makes it easier to cross the Korean DMZ than our streets?

That bit at the post office couldve been repeated throughout the town. At the bottom or top of Berkeley hill. On upper Broadway or on Main Street in front of the village lot. On Church Street Extension, near Noris. Damned near every crossing is a Patrol Boys Worst Nightmare. This is especially true for any stretch where the Hell Drivers can get up a good head of steam. My fave crossing is between Lakeview Deli and the boat launch, a dream-come-true if youre channeling Evil Knieval.

OK, I exaggerated a bit. You can cross where theres a traffic light or stop signs. But if not, not.

So why dont drivers stop for pedestrians here?

Could be a bunch of reasons. People in cars are insulated from the environment, especially if theyve got tunes or AC on. So that accounts for one group. Another bunch and not a small one are texting. Another bunch are just schmucks. And another bunch do it for another bunch of reasons. But I dont care why they do it I just want it to end. Which it will not do, of and by itself.

In days gone by

We could, of course, just keep accepting it, as we have done. Or we could even embrace it, and I have a great idea for that: A brand-new village motto: Welcome to Saranac Lake, where the streets are safe and the crosswalks are mean.

Or maybe, just maybe, we could take steps to correct the situation.

How could that be done, you ask?

Since unenforced laws dont get obeyed but enforced ones do, the obvious course is to enforce the law. And while you cant tell from what goes on here, New York state law specifically states pedestrians have right of way in all crosswalks, and in all intersections, even those without marked crosswalks.

Or to put it differently, drivers have to stop for anyone in a crosswalk or intersection. Period.

The only way thats gonna happen, of course, is if our local constabulary make sure it does. And the only way thatll happen is if they are out on the streets, on foot, which they used to do when you and I were young, Maggie.

Thats right the town cops used to be on foot patrols as a matter of course. And they regularly stopped cars to help peeps cross the street. But beyond that, there was another great advantage to them being on the sidewalks: We knew all the cops by name, we talked to them, and as a result we liked and trusted them.

By contrast, today I see the cops throughout the day, but only as they drive by. I have no chance to talk to them or even know their names. In fact, I know only one of our town cops, and thats because Ive known him since he was a kid. Our atrocious pedestrian rights situation aside, does anyone think not knowing our police is healthy for a town of 4,500?

In days to come maybe

I anticipate a counter-argument that times have changed and our ways of dealing with things like law enforcement have changed with them. And maybe one of those changes is cops simply cant be patrolling the streets all the time. And while thats true, it still doesnt do doodle-squat to address the traffic situation.

So what can be done?

Good question.

Hows about this as a suggestion: Have the police enforce the street crossing laws the same way everything is enforced selectively. They wouldnt have to be on the streets all the time, just some of it. If our police had a presence at various times throughout the day every day making sure drivers bloody well obeyed pedestrians rights laws, I cant see how it wouldnt improve the situation. At the very least, what could we lose by giving it a try?

I realize no actions will be changed before the thinking behind them is. So hows about thinking about this:

Texting is perfectly legal, but illegal while driving. Smoking pot is also legal, but also not while driving, and not in public. That said, if I were to stand in Berkeley Square in mid-day and start puffing away on a Tommy Chong bong, you can bet a bunch of our good burghers would call the cops and Id be carted off to the hoosegow before I could sing two verses of Light my Fire.

Meanwhile, in the time it took me to light up and get hauled away, at least a dozen cars wouldve driven by with the drivers looking at their texts instead of the road.

And which of us, me with a slight cough and ruby-red eyes, or them with their distracted driving, would pose the greater danger to the public at large?

(BTW, if youre looking for a great example of a rhetorical question, you need look no further.)

I realize as a result of this column, some people will consider me anti-cop. But Im not.

If anything, when it comes to this issue, I am clearly pro-life.

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Stop, in the name of Life | News, Sports, Jobs - The Adirondack Daily Enterprise

House panel aims to save five ships from retirement, rejecting Navy’s plan to decommission them – Stars and Stripes

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Danzig

USS Vicksburg, a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser, passes through the Strait of Gibraltar on March 31, 2015. The House Armed Services Committees subpanel on seapower and projection forces plans to prohibit the Navy from cutting the Vicksburg as well as four landing dock ships from its fleet, according to committee aides. (Anthony Hilkowski/U.S. Navy)

WASHINGTON House lawmakers will push to save five ships that the Navy is slating for retirement, rejecting the service branchs proposal to decommission 24 ships in its fiscal 2023 budget.

The House Armed Services Committees subpanel on seapower and projection forces plans to prohibit the Navy from cutting the cruiser USS Vicksburg as well as four landing dock ships from its fleet, according to committee aides. Lawmakers will recommend the changes to the full House committee this week as it drafts the National Defense Authorization Act, an annual sweeping military policy and funding bill.

Theres consensus that USS Vicksburg should be retained, an aide said, speaking on condition of anonymity. With respect to [landing dock ships], theres strong support for the commandant of the Marine Corps assessment that he needs no fewer than 31 amphibious ships so prohibiting the retirement of the [landing dock ships] certainly gets after that.

The USS Vicksburg, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser that launched in 1991, is nearing the end of a nearly $500 million modernization overhaul in Virginia that began in 2020. Rep. Kay Granger, the ranking Republican of the House Appropriations Committee, admonished Navy officials at a hearing last month for seeking to decommission the cruiser.

At a time when the ship is still in its maintenance period, the Navy is proposing to scrap it, the Texas congresswoman said. If the Navy experts expect Congress to support its vision for this fleet, it must do a much better job of managing the inventory it has. We will not stand idly by as valuable taxpayer funds are wasted.

Other cruisers on the Navys chopping block include USS Bunker Hill, USS Mobile Bay, USS San Jacinto and USS Lake Champlain.

Retirements are also planned for two Los Angeles-class submarines, two oilers, two expeditionary transfer docks and all nine of the Navys Freedom-class littoral combat ships, some of which have been in service less than five years. One of the four landing dock ships that lawmakers are hoping to keep the Whidbey Island-class USS Tortuga is undergoing the same service-life extension repairs as the USS Vicksburg.

Navy officials said decommissioning will save about $3.6 billion in the next five years, allowing the Navy to get rid of aging ships and systems that are expensive to maintain and instead invest in unmanned platforms and other technology. The divest to invest strategy has repeatedly frustrated lawmakers who are warily eyeing Chinas rapidly growing fleet.

Congress last year reversed the Navys plan to retire seven cruisers, forcing the service to hang on to two, and ordered the Navy to build 13 ships instead of a requested eight. Next years proposed $180 billion Navy budget also calls for building eight ships a plan that Rep. Elaine Luria, a retired Navy commander, described as anemic.

The Navy has no strategy, Luria, D-Va., tweeted in March. Stop saying you do, because if you did you would be able to explain how this fleet size will allow us to defend Taiwan.

Rep. Rob Wittman, the ranking Republican on the seapower subcommittee, noted last month that the Navy is congressionally mandated to have 355 ships. The Navys proposed cuts would immediately shrink the current 298-ship fleet to 285 ships, he said.

We dont expand our naval capacity and capabilities by subtracting more than we add, the Virginia congressman said. The budget request definitely does not support [Defense] Secretary [Lloyd] Austins stated intent of pacing the Chinese naval capabilities whose force is expected to exceed 460 ships by the turn of this decade, at which point our fleet will be only two-thirds the size of the Peoples Liberation Army Navy.

Despite the criticism, the subcommittee will recommend sticking to the Navys shipbuilding plan, committee aides said. The Navy is aiming to acquire two Virginia-class attack submarines, two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, one frigate, one amphibious transport dock, one oiler and one towing, salvage and rescue ship.

House lawmakers will also seek to set a statutory floor of 31 amphibious ships and require the Navy secretary to consult with the Marine Corps commandant on all major decisions concerning amphibious force structure and capability, committee aides said.

Other recommendations by the subcommittee include allowing the Air Force to retire eight of its C-130 transport aircraft and 13 of its air-refueling tanker aircraft and authorizing the Navy secretary to enter into procurement contracts for up to 15 guided-missile destroyers and up to 25 Ship-to-Shore connector crafts, according to aides.

The House Armed Services Committee will announce parts of its legislative agenda for the 2023 NDAA during six subcommittee markups this week, with a full committee markup scheduled for June 22. The Senate Armed Services Committee will begin unveiling its version of the bill next week.

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House panel aims to save five ships from retirement, rejecting Navy's plan to decommission them - Stars and Stripes

MSM Malaysia Berhad : IS FOCUSED ON TURNAROUND PLAN AMIDST THE RISING MAIN PRODUCTION COST – Marketscreener.com

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Danzig

MSM IS FOCUSED ON TURNAROUND PLAN AMIDST THE

RISING MAIN PRODUCTION COST

KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 8, 2022 - MSM Malaysia Holdings Berhad (MSM) remains focused on sustaining its turnaround plan amidst the rising main production cost elements namely raw sugar, freight, natural gas and foreign exchange. The producer of the national refined sugar brand "Gula Prai" has turnaround with improved financial performance since 2020 despite market challenges.

Relatively, MSM recorded an improved profit before tax (PBT) of RM81 million for FY2021, against RM36 million in FY2020. The Group also recorded 3% increase in revenue of RM2.26 billion for 12 months FY2021 compared to RM2.18 billion in the last financial year. During FY2021, gain from disposal of MSM Perlis Sdn Bhd amounting to RM91.8 million has contributed to the Group recording a total consolidated PBT of RM170 million.

Within a continually challenging environment, MSM key focus for 2021 was on the execution of the turnaround plan through reorganisation and asset optimisation, staying resilient with strengthened income streams and building integration for sustainable performance.

"For financial year 2021 (FY2021), MSM recorded a revenue of RM2.3 billion with a profit before tax (PBT) of RM81 million on the back of total assets of RM2.87 billion. This is an encouraging improvement from 2020 despite challenges faced throughout the year. MSM also has returned to a dividend-paying stock where we declared a dividend of 3 sen per share for FY2021," said MSM Group Chief Executive Officer, Syed Feizal Syed Mohammad during the 11th Annual General Meeting that was held virtually today attended by 1,057 shareholders online.

MSM produced close to 900,000 tonnes of refined sugar that is sold under "Gula Prai" brand amidst slower domestic and competitive international markets in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the movement control order. MSM was challenged by many different factors in 2021 but appropriate mitigation measures were taken to address them.

MSM has a dynamic 3-year strategic blueprint with 2021 being Turnaround, 2022 Resilient and 2023 Integration. MSM Johor remains a key focus of MSM Group on the ramp-up programme and achieving profitability while MSM Prai will be undergoing a rejuvenation process with a 30-year life extension in sweating the assets.

"We will work to increase our domestic market share while opening up new market channels through Last Mile general trades, HORECA and small SKU packaging suited for convenient chains. MSM shall continue to gain greater market share within Asia Pacific and penetrate Singapore retail segment viewed from a domestic lens and logistics strategy. We shall also increase more volumes of value-added products such as liquid sugar and premix which has higher margins and great demand in markets like China. As part of strengthening Johor, MSM remains open to have a right fit partner with strong export market and operational experience," Syed Feizal said.

As for financial year 2022 (FY2022), MSM foresees greater challenges with rising main production cost. For first quarter (1Q) FY2022, MSM posted an expected loss after tax (LAT) of RM28 million as compared to profit after tax (PAT) of RM31 million for 1Q2021. This was largely due to higher production cost largely 29% higher NY11, 57% increase in freight cost and weaker Ringgit. The Group's refining cost also recorded an increase of 28%, largely driven by 86% increase in gas cost. In response to cost pressures, MSM as a joint industry has engaged the government on the need to revise the controlled ceiling prices for the retail segment. The sugar refining price has had a net increase of only 1 sen/kg since 2011.

"We strived to reinforce our brand positioning, stayed on track for current and long-term targets maximising our capabilities through market expansion and greater outreach. Critically, we continued to strengthen our balance sheet and enhanced liquidity. MSM has a healthy gearing ratio of 26% in FY2021 versus 33% in FY2020. In initiatives, we stepped-up with acceleration our ESG journey and kicked-off digitalisation towards IR 4.0 during the year," Syed Feizal added.

Moving forward, MSM will further exploring strategic partnership to strengthen export segment and to further unlock synergistic value in 2022 in ensuring consistent returns and greater shareholder value as the nation's leading premium sugar refiner.

-ENDS-

About MSM Malaysia Holdings Berhad (MSM)

MSM Malaysia Holdings Berhad (MSM) is Malaysia's leading refined sugar producer and one of the biggest sugar refiners in Asia. MSM is involved in producing, marketing and selling refined sugar products under the "Gula Prai" brand. The company conducts its business principally through two operating subsidiaries, MSM Prai Berhad and MSM Sugar Refinery (Johor) Sdn Bhd. In addition, MSM also operates a logistics company - MSM Logistics Sdn Bhd.

At present, MSM's annual production capacity is up to 2.05 million tonnes of refined sugar. In 2021, MSM produced 895,222 tonnes of refined sugar, of which 246,101 tonnes are catered for the export market. Currently, MSM corroborates up to 60% of the domestic market share. MSM has been listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia since 2011 and has a market capitalisation of RM900 million as at 31 December 2021. MSM combines economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility for a sustainable future.

MSM offers a variety of products ranging from white refined sugar of various grain sizes to soft brown sugar. These are marketed and sold in a variety of packaging options under its flagship brand - Gula Prai. MSM also sells molasses, a by-product of the refining process, to distilleries and producers of ethanol, animal feed and yeast, among other products. Aside from household consumers, MSM sells to a wide range of customers in Malaysia and in other countries directly and indirectly through traders, wholesalers and distributors. Its customers include major companies in the beverage and confectionery industries, hotels, restaurants and food outlets.

For more information, please visit http://www.msmsugar.com

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this media release regarding MSM's operations may constitute forward-looking statements. These statements can be identified by key words such as "believes", "estimates", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "will", "plans", "outlook" and other words of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. These statements relate to the plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future operations and performance of MSM. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to various events, risks, uncertainties and other factors. We neither intend to nor assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Siti Noorbaya Mohd Yunus

Syahidah Ismail

+603 2181 5018 ext. 158

+603 2181 5018 ext. 154

+6016 677 6118

+6019 225 9705

noorbaya.my@msmsugar.com

syahidah.i@msmsugar.com

Disclaimer

MSM Malaysia Holdings Bhd published this content on 08 June 2022 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 08 June 2022 08:31:07 UTC.

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MiG-31 Foxhound Is One Really Fast Russian Jet – 19FortyFive

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Danzig

When the MiG-25 Foxbat entered service with the Soviet Union in 1970, it gave NATO airpower planners plenty to worry about. The Foxbat was the fastest interceptor in the world at the time, and the ever-pervasive fear of the unknown flew alongside it. However, much of that fear dissipated after the defection of MiG-25 pilot Lt. Viktor Belenko in 1976. Belenko helped to eliminate the aura of mystery that had surrounded this high-speed aircraft.

But the Soviet war machine didnt let Belenkos defection deter them from improving on the concept. Thus the MiG-31 Foxhound was born.

From Foxbat to Foxhound

The Foxhound made her maiden flight in September 1975 and officially entered into service with the Soviet PVO (voyska protivovozdushnoy oborony, or Anti-Air Defense Troops) in 1981.

The MiG-31 bears a striking cosmetic resemblance to the MiG-25, which probably explains at least in part why NATO retained the Fox portion when assigning its codename to the successor aircraft. However, look beneath the surface and you will find the Foxhound equipped with state-of-the-art digital avionics that its older foxy sibling lacked.

For one thing, the MiG-31 was the first Soviet fighter aircraft to have true look-down/shoot-down capability, thanks to its phased array radar. Earlier USSR fighter radars had a tendency to run afoul of ground clutter. In addition, the Foxhound can work efficiently in all weather conditions while fulfilling visual flight rules and instrument flight rules, day and night.

Yet another improvement was the newer planes extended range, which increased to 1,900 miles (3,000 kilometers) upon initial takeoff, and further bolstered to 3,400 miles (5,400 kilometers) with one aerial refueling. By contrast, the gas-guzzling Foxbat bore the curse of a relatively short range: 1,160 miles (1,860 kilometers) at Mach 0.9 and 1,013 miles (1,630 kilometers) when zipping along at Mach 2.35. This underscored how lucky the aforementioned Belenko was to make his initial escape from Vladivostok to Hokkaido, Japan. (In retrospect, perhaps NATO shouldve codenamed the MiG-25 the Cheetah. It can pursue its prey at tremendous speeds, but only for short distances.)

The Foxhounds pilots also enjoyed a reduced likelihood of failure to communicate. As my 1945 colleague Caleb Larson explains,MiG-31s can network with other airplanes in their sortie, relaying information on enemy aircraft locations and thus covering a much wider area than unnetworked groups of airplanes.

Foxhound Flies On

Five hundred and nineteen Foxhounds have been produced so far, out of which 370 were delivered to the Russian Air Force and 30 are in service with Kazakh air force. In July 2020, Russias Defense Ministry announced its intention to invest in modernization and life extension programs for its MiG-31 fleet.

MiG-31 customers outside of the former Soviet republics have been few and far between. In 1992, right on the heels of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the cash-starved post-Soviet Russian arms industry offered the Mig-31 to Finland, but the Finns turned it down. Meanwhile, Syria ordered eight MiG-31E airframes for its own air force in 2007, but the order was suspended in May 2007. Six of these MiGs may or not have been delivered to Syria as of August 2015, depending on whether you choose to believe the Turkish or the Russian media.

What is not in dispute is that the Russians themselves have deployed the MiG-31 in missions over Syria. In addition, the Foxhound has been blooded in Vladimir Putins so-called special military operation in Ukraine. On March 18, a MiG-31K variant launched a strike on a Ukrainian arms depot near the Polish border, evidently using a Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missile. In turn, on April 26, the Ukrainians managed to shoot down a Foxhound with a British-made Starstreak missile.

Specifications

General Characteristics

Crew: Two (pilot and weapons system officer)

Length: 22.69 m (74 ft 5 in)

Wingspan: 13.46 m (44 ft 2 in)

Height: 6.15 m (20 ft 2 in)

Wing area: 61.6 m (663 ft)

Empty weight: 21,820 kg (48,100 lb)

Armament

1 GSh-6-23 23 mm cannon with 260 rounds.

Fuselage recesses for 4 R-33 (AA-9 Amos) (or for MiG-31M/BM only 6 R-37 (AA-X-13 Arrow) long-range air-to-air missiles)

4 underwing pylons for a combination of:

Christian D. Orr is a former Air Force officer, Federal law enforcement officer, and private military contractor (with assignments worked in Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kosovo, Japan, Germany, and the Pentagon). Chris holds a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Southern California (USC) and an M.A. in Intelligence Studies (concentration in Terrorism Studies) from American Military University (AMU). He has also been published in The Daily Torch and The Journal of Intelligence and Cyber Security.

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MiG-31 Foxhound Is One Really Fast Russian Jet - 19FortyFive

H1 secures an extension on its Series C to further its mission of creating a healthier future through the use of connected and accessible healthcare…

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Danzig

NEW YORK, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- H1, the connecting force for global healthcare professional, clinical, science, and research information, announced today that it raised a Series C extension bringing the total Series C raise to $123 million. H1s valuation holds strong at $773 million to-date. The funding extends H1s runway, allowing them to lean into its growth.

In a time of volatile markets when many are struggling to secure funding, this extension is a vote of confidence in our ability to advance our mission, said Ariel Katz, CEO and co-founder of H1. Our ability to raise capital at the same terms as our original Series C close is a testament to our significant market opportunity and ability to execute against it. Our platform has enabled our 200+ clients to gain greater insights and get groundbreaking treatments and therapies to patients around the world efficiently. We have improved access to healthcare for millions of patients, and dont intend to slow down. This additional funding allows us to control our own destiny and continue to innovate.

H1s mission is to create a healthier future by democratizing access to global expertise, groundbreaking research, discoveries, and connected insights for all doctors, R&D, industry, and, ultimately, patients. The H1 Connect platform combines data science and technology to synthesize billions of data points, including data on over ten million healthcare providers, 20,000 institutions, 25 million peer-reviewed publications, 420,000 clinical trials, two billion procedures, three billion diagnoses, and over nine million global claims. H1 Connect powers H1s portfolio of solutions including HCP Universe, Trial Landscape, Carevoyance, Precise, and Faculty Opinions.

We see a critical need for H1s global healthcare network, especially when it comes to improving diversity in clinical trials and improving healthcare equity, said Chase Williams, Goldman Sachs. H1s technology already powers a number of critical use cases for large healthcare organizations, and we believe they are uniquely positioned to realize their vision of becoming the central source of truth for actionable data on doctors, research, and treatments.

H1 graduated from Y Combinator in January 2020 as a bootstrapped company under ten employees, and in less than a year had closed on $70 million in total financing and employed more than 200 people. In November 2021, H1 announced a $100 million Series C round led by Altimeter Capital and joined by new investors Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Flex Capital, with participation from existing investors IVP, Menlo Ventures, Transformation Capital, Lux Capital, and LeadEdge. In July 2021, H1 acquired Carevoyance based in Oregon, extending its reach into medical devices, and, most recently in February 2022, acquired London-based Faculty Opinions Ltd. to broaden its global doctor network and further improve healthcare by bringing all data under one umbrella.

H1 has been continually recognized as an innovator in the healthcare technology space, most recently earning coveted spots on the Forbes' Best Startup Employers 2022 list, the 2022 Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and the NYC Digital Health 100 list. H1 supports more than 250 customers including top pharmaceutical companies, and as of Q1 2022, the companys annual recurring revenue (ARR) increased by approximately 140% as the appetite for healthcare data continued to accelerate and the network effect took hold.

Learn more about how H1 is powering the democratization of global healthcare data and making healthcare more equitable.

About H1H1 is the connecting force for global HCP, clinical, scientific and research information. The H1 Connect platform democratizes access to HCP knowledge and groundbreaking insights for life sciences, academic medical institutions, health systems, and payors. H1 Connect fuels a robust product suite that helps customers discover and engage industry experts, drive equitable research, access groundbreaking science, and accelerate commercial success with the most robust and accurate healthcare professional data. Learn more at h1.co.

Media Contact:Anya NelsonScratch Marketing + Media for H1anyan@scratchmm.com M: 617.817.6559

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H1 secures an extension on its Series C to further its mission of creating a healthier future through the use of connected and accessible healthcare...

Bengaluru: NAL marks 55 years of 1.2m trisonic wind tunnel – The Indian Express

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Danzig

The National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) in Bengaluru on Sunday marked 55 years of the 1.2mm trisonic wind tunnel, the only industrial wind tunnel providing the high-speed aerodynamic data for national aerospace programmes, both in the civil and military sectors.

Wind tunnels are used for simulating flight conditions in the laboratory. The NAL stated that the facility will continue to meet the experimental aerodynamic data requirement of future programmes.

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-NAL is currently working towards setting up a continuous wind tunnel facility to meet the increased demand for high speed experimental aerodynamic data. Practically each and every indigenously developed aerospace vehicle in the country has graduated out of this facility. To cater to the emerging requirements of the country, continual upgrades of the facility have been implemented in CSIR-NAL, leading to many state-of-the-art techniques related to high-speed wind tunnel testing mainly to improve the data quality, productivity and life extension of various components of the wind tunnel, a statement from CSIR-NAL read.

The 1.2m trisonic wind tunnel was built by the CSIR between 1963 and 1967. The first blow-down (test) was conducted on May 29, 1967. The vision of the late Dr P Neelakantan, the first Director of CSIR-NAL, enabled the realisation of this facility, which is the major workhorse for all the national aerospace programmes. The highest speed of this tunnel is Mach 4.0 which is four times the speed of sound, the release said.

The mission of this facility is to provide advanced technology solutions to national aerospace programs, fighter aircraft, defence systems, launch vehicles and satellites and space systems.

This wind tunnel was primarily conceived for research and development in experimental aerodynamics. Subsequently, as the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) started the development of launch vehicles, missiles and aircraft, the need for high-speed wind tunnel tests in the 1.2m wind tunnel increased. To name a few, DRDOs missiles such as Agni, Akaash, Prithvi, Pralay, SRSAM, LRSAM, ASTRA, NAG, LRAShM, BrahMos, Nirbhay, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, etc. were characterized in this facility.

Similarly, aerodynamic characterisation of the ISROs launch vehicles such as ASLV, PSLV, SLV, SSLV, GSLV, RLV and GAGANYAAN programmes were carried out extensively. The nations first Light Combat Aircraft (LCA-TEJAS) was conceived at this facility and now it is flying in the sky. Many weapon integration programmes on LCA, Mirage-2000, Sukhoi-30, Jaguar, MiG aircraft etc., were successfully carried out in this facility.

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Bengaluru: NAL marks 55 years of 1.2m trisonic wind tunnel - The Indian Express

What is Posthumanism, and Why Should You Care? | Thoughtful Play

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Danzig

Welcome to Posthumanism and Video Games. The purpose of this project, conducted by St. Olaf undergraduates Anthony Dungan and Israa Khalifa, is to examine how numerous video games interact with posthumanism and what audiences can learn about posthuman ideas through video games.

At its core, posthumanism is a theoretical framework that wants to re-imagine what a human is or rethink humanitys place in society. Some posthumanists want to remove humanity as the center of existence and want to every object in existence to be treated equally; others consider what existence on Earth would be like if humanity went completely extinct. Some challenge the boundaries of the human body and want to extend or augment those capabilities through cybernetics; others consider the personhood of completely artificial beings like androids or artificial intelligence. For a more nuanced definition and understanding, see our glossary entry on posthumanism.

The fact is, humanity is already becoming a posthuman society. Cybernetic bodies arent some far-off concept, but rather something that exists already. There are recent advancements like cybernetic and prosthetic limbs, as well as enhancements that have been around for decades, like hearing aids. Artificial life is making significant progress as well. In 2017, the first robot became a citizen of a country, and robots are becoming more physically capable. Imagining an existence without humanity might not be that hard, considering the threat that global warming poses to society means Earth might very well be literally posthuman within a few hundred years.

In addition, scientific knowledge and technological advancements are historically situated. Keeping this in mind allows for an understanding of Western cultures long history of individualism, technological warfare, and the binarism between body and soul. Posthumanism rejects that binary and allows for a fuller understanding of the Wests obsession with a human and technological apocalypse or a techno-utopian world. In addition, posthumanism breaks free from the patriarchal and supremacist legacy created by Christianity in the Enlightenment as well as favoring humans over other objects. These legacies of the Enlightenment are directly linked to systematic oppression, racism, slavery, and wars all over the world. Posthumanism, to an extent, allows for alternative solutions or ways of thought to break free from these problems.

We could say something about how games are the most profitable medium in the modern entertainment industry. We could also say that video games reach an incredibly large audience, or a number of other reasons. The fact is, we researched video games because the medium allows players to directly interact with ideologies in a safe space. Unlike audiences in other mediums like film, literature, or music, players directly interact with whats happening. They dont just see fancy technology, they use it. Players are active participants in the messages they create, which is something unique to the medium of games. As games are a relatively young medium, researching the medium helps establish a better understanding of how games engage audiences in unique ways.

With that in mind, please enjoy the results of our research! You can read our analyses in any order, but if you want to be directed to a good beginning spot, Id recommend our podcast episode, Embodiment in Transistor. If youre interested in making your own Thoughtful Play project, contact thoughtfulplay@gmail.com. You can check out our glossary here, and if you want to check our sources, head over here.

Anthony Dungan has been playing video games for almost longer than he can remember. It all started when his parents would let him watch them play Star Wars video games, and his obsession that started then has only become more rabid. Almost two decades later, Anthony has started mixing academic work into his love of video games. After watching a thoughtful, engaging presentation on The Last of Us by a professor from St. Olaf College, Anthony knew that he had to attend St. Olaf to improve his writing skills and hopefully have a chance to engage in academic work on video games. This wish was granted, and resulted in Posthumanism and Rhetoric in Video Games.

Israa Khalifa studies sociology and anthropology at St. Olaf College.

What is Posthumanism, and Why Should You Care? | Thoughtful Play

Captive animals include pets | Opinion | dailyuw.com

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Danzig

Editors Note: Everyone designs. While not all design work is compensated, DIY Design strives to promote awareness of design processes in everyday life. Each week, Tatum Lindquist explores a new field or theory in the design world and relates it to the UW community as a way to live with intentionality and agency.

TikToker @justinbieberthecat_ showcases Justin, a cat, using extensive vocabulary via talking buttons to communicate with his owner. Some videos show Justin using the buttons beyond basic care requests to express discontent by pressing love you and no repetitively after his owner stopped playing with him to work. While adorable, the videos receive a range of responses, including skeptics who criticize Justins cognitive comprehension of the words hes trained to use.

However, humans may not yet possess the capabilities to even fully understand the extent of animals cognitive abilities, especially given that Justin and other animals can communicate beyond human perception. Limited in perception, humans may fail to fully understand the complex experiences of animals altogether. And in the design world, where the ethics of animal participation are muddled and gray, these limitations need consideration.

Posthumanism is a collection of theories, philosophies, and worldviews, or epistemologies, having to do with understanding the more-than-human inhabitants of our world, Kristin Dew, an assistant teaching professor of human centered design & engineering, said.

More-than-human encompasses both environmental and technological inhabitants and, as with any theory applied to design, posthumanism starts with questions and reflection. For me, it means deconstructing the human from human-centered design processes and opening up space for animal experiences, especially those captive in human society.

When people think about sites of captivity with animals, they almost never think of companion animals, Karen Emmerman, a philosophy lecturer, said. People forget that we're in this sort of relationship with them where we have made a lot of choices for them.

While zoos, laboratories, or aquariums may associate more closely with captivity, pet owners decide their animals diets, living conditions, reproductive abilities, and so on. Im not here advocating for you to stop making choices for your pet, because thats neither practical nor productive. The point that posthumanist design makes is to acknowledge the reality of our relationship with animals and the greater world.

The current age we live in, known as the Anthropocene, describes the ecological time where human activity irreversibly and significantly impacts the environment. Humans and our constructs and systems impact the nonhuman world, and for pets or other captive animals, it means trading some agency for survival.

I work in a theory thats called ecofeminist theory, which is basically looking at animals and ecological issues through the lens of feminist theory, Emmerman said. And in particular, what this means for animals is that the domination and exploitation of animals [are] connected to other forms of domination and exploitation.

That joke about how some pampered pets live in better conditions than people in lower socioeconomic statuses? That inequality directly ties into the inequality of wealth created by human constructs of wealth and capitalism. That trend asking people to show who lives in their home rent-free, and creators show their pet? Thats animals living under the same economic and social contexts as humans.

The ethics of how designs participate in systems of oppression extend beyond the humans impacted; these designs impact and can impose these same constructs on nonhumans. A valid critique arises when considering if humans should never use or keep animals, given that we cant even uphold the collective rights of historically marginalized communities.

However, this critique asks for perfection, a toxic ideal rooted in white supremacy. Posthumanism, instead, asks for the willingness to be wrong and make mistakes and to be held accountable in our personal relationships with companion animals.

Something like grief and regret, that we have to be in this kind of relationship with our animals, Emmerman said. Where can we find ways to really promote their agency and give them back control in any possible way that we can give it back to them?

As the owner of an emotional support animal, I hold a breadth of complex grief, gratitude, love, and care in how I benefit emotionally from my relationship with my cat. Given the constraints of society, the answer is not simply to never keep companion animals. For me, posthumanist design means promoting the agency of my cat and designing our habitat our home with her needs and desires in mind.

It means poking at the silliness of rearranging furniture and rooms so my cat can have her own personal space. It means pushing back against the cr-zy cat person stereotype, swallowing my pride, and taking my cat out for walks in a pet stroller because she wants to go outside. In its simplest form, this do-it-yourself posthumanist design asks: How can I respect the lived experiences of captive companion animals?

Reach writer Tatum Lindquist at opinion@dailyuw.edu. Twitter: @TatumLindquist

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Captive animals include pets | Opinion | dailyuw.com

Open call: 2022 International Residency – Announcements – e-flux

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Danzig

Asia Culture Center (ACC) is pleased to announce the international open call for ACC Residency 2022. Applications are currently being accepted online with a submission deadline of June 13, 2022.

Under the theme of Post-COVID-19 Era, Posthumanism, ACC Residency 2022 seeks to interrogate issues such as the fourth industrial revolution in the contactless era, the changes in the notion of labor brought about by the digital transformation and the new relationship between humans and things (the post-human).

The Residency consists of five categories: Art & Technology, Visual Arts, Design, Theater, and Dialogue and is opened to all creators and researchers who have experience and capability to propose and implement a project exploring the theme.

ACC will support selected participants with workspaces, accommodation, a grant of 2,000,000KRW per month, and research/project funding up to 10,000,000KRW for Researchers and up to 50,000,000KRW for Creators. In addition, ACC will offer various resources from seminars, workshops to consulting sessions with experts as well as production facilities and audio-visual equipment in ACT Studio. ACC will work closely with the each participant and projects developed throughout the 5-month residency will be presented through showcase, exhibition and performance in December.

For more information and to apply, please visit ACCs website. The selection process will consist of two steps, application document review and interview through which around 27 individuals/teams are expected to be selected. The announcement will be made in July through ACC website.

Practical informationApplication period: May 23June 13,2022 (6:00pm KST)Apply onlineTheme: Post-COVID-19 Era, PosthumanismResidency period: August 2022December 2022 (5 months)Categories: Art & Technology, Visual Arts, Design, Theater, DialogueEligible applicants: Individuals/groups who have experience and potential and are actively involved in the relative fieldsSupportsGrant, project/research fund, and supporting programs.Presentation at group exhibition/showcase/academic event.Workspace, accommodation, and ACT centerAirfares for international participants

Materials to submitApplication form (including Personal Information Collection and Usage Agreement) in a provided form (.pdf)A project (or research) proposal in a provided form (.pdf)A portfolio in a provided form (.pdf, maximum 30 pages including the cover, not exceeding 50MB)A letter of recommendation (only for international applicants)

About Asia Culture Center and ACC ResidencyAsia Culture Center (ACC) located in Gwangju, South Korea, is an international arts and culture organization committed to bringing together and fostering exchange among different regions and disciplines. As one of its year-round programs, ACC Residency is a platform for research, creation and production that brings together creative talents from around the world to share their knowledge, technological insight and experience. Since 2015, it has supported the cross-disciplinary, inventive, and bold projects of more than 740 creators, designers, artists and researchers.

For more information, please visit acc.go.kr.

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Open call: 2022 International Residency - Announcements - e-flux

Futurist Transhuman News Blog

Author Archives: Danzig

In the future, will you own your digital self? This futurist thinks so – CBC.ca

Scientists Intrigued by Treatment That Put Every Single Patient’s Cancer Into Remission – Futurism

Priyanka Chopras Robert Wun number oscillates between intriguing realms of futurism and fashion – VOGUE India

Food supply chains are in crisis. Could these futuristic farms fix that? – Global News

What every museum reveals about past, present and future – ArtsHub

Brew a Better Cup With These Coffee Accessories – Futurism

We Just Got the First Peek at NASA’s Artemis Moon Landing Suits – Futurism

Gene therapy showcases technique to extend life in mice – Chemistry World

Dodgers: Mookie Betts Explains Why He Denied the Red Sox Extension Offer – Dodgers Nation

DNV and LR Approve Methane Abatement Technology Design to Reduce Slip – The Maritime Executive

Wondering How To Win An Impact Award? Here’s What You Need To Know! – B&T

Stop, in the name of Life | News, Sports, Jobs – The Adirondack Daily Enterprise

House panel aims to save five ships from retirement, rejecting Navy’s plan to decommission them – Stars and Stripes

MSM Malaysia Berhad : IS FOCUSED ON TURNAROUND PLAN AMIDST THE RISING MAIN PRODUCTION COST – Marketscreener.com

MiG-31 Foxhound Is One Really Fast Russian Jet – 19FortyFive

H1 secures an extension on its Series C to further its mission of creating a healthier future through the use of connected and accessible healthcare…

Bengaluru: NAL marks 55 years of 1.2m trisonic wind tunnel – The Indian Express

What is Posthumanism, and Why Should You Care? | Thoughtful Play

Captive animals include pets | Opinion | dailyuw.com

Open call: 2022 International Residency – Announcements – e-flux