For three decades Pearl Jam have been ripping up the rock rulebook, doing things entirely on their own terms and inspiring a lifetime of love among their global legion of devotees. Following new album Gigaton, this is the story, in 30 easy pieces, of how and why they remain a bandapart

1. Restless In Seattle

When it comes to the grand arc of the Pearl Jam narrative, its essential to start not so much at their beginning but, rather, earlier. Guitarist Stone Gossard and bassist Jeff Aments time with Green River and Mother Love Bone, plus Matt Camerons seminal work in Soundgarden, sowed the seeds that would help Americas rain-swept Pacific Northwest become one of the most fertile artistic breeding grounds in rockhistory.

2. Everybody Loves Our Town

As reductive as it is to view Pearl Jams legacy through the prism of grunge, its also unavoidable. While the superlative contributions of Soundgarden and Alice In Chains could never be overstated, as far as grunges mainstream crossover was initially concerned, the scene had two principal avatars: Nirvana and Pearl Jam. With the huge success of 1991s Nevermind and Ten respectively, the Seattleites all but razed the memory of of 80s hair metal. In Pearl Jams case in particular, songs like Alive, Black and Jeremy introduced a lyrical sensitivity to the charts that was the antithesis of the preening, misogynistic music that had dominated the decade prior. The sales of these records affected not only music, but also culture. Vocalist Eddie Vedder was, after all, once offered a spot in a Calvin Klein underwear ad. The widely-recycled history of grunge now stands as a macram of myth, misconceptions and, occasionally, the truth. Whats undeniable, however, is that Pearl Jam affected rocks trajectory to a degree that few bands have ever before. Orsince.

3. Fan The Flames

In the day and age of Twitter, Instagram, TikTok et al, the very notion of a fan club seems like some quaint relic from a bygone era. But not Pearl Jams. From the very beginning, they built something more akin to a living, breathing community than a faceless postal service. Launched in 1991, over the years the Ten Club has delivered exclusive vinyl 7-inches, pre-sale access to tours, special T-shirts and even its own magazine,Deep.

4. In My Family Tree

It is entirely possible to argue that no single band has ever spawned so many other critically acclaimed, successful and outright legendary other groups. Starting with their exquisite Chris Cornell collaboration Temple Of The Dog which was recorded concurrently with Ten Pearl Jam members extracurricular activities include Mike McCreadys Mad Season, Stone Gossards Brad, and Jeff Aments RNDM. Thats not to mention various solo releases, including two Eddie Vedder outings and Matt Camerons Cavedwellerproject.

5. Jeremy Controversy

Over the course of their career, Pearl Jam have, both intentionally and unintentionally, become embroiled in controversy. One of the first major instances of the latter was the video for Jeremy, which brought the song based on the true story of Jeremy Wade Delle, a student, who died by suicide in front of his class to life. Unfortunately, many misinterpreted the final frames of the video. I think Pearl Jam was very, very upset that this piece about an alienated kid who killed himself was taken to be this glorified piece about a guy who shoots his classmates, the videos director Mark Pellington told the New Yorker. It remains one of the most famous and powerful videosever.

6. Hitting It Off

Pearl Jam must surely be one of precious few bands to have actively avoided making hits. First, they refused to bow to substantial label pressure to release Tens emotional ballad Black as a single. Likewise, while Better Man is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest songs in their catalogue, it was actually cut from the tracklist of their second album. Thats a hit! Brendan OBrien recalled saying in the studio, as detailed in Pearl Jams PJ20 anniversary book. They all just looked straight down and the whole room was deflated. I knew Id said the wrong thing. The song eventually appeared on 1994sVitalogy.

7. Second To None

Following the jaw-dropping success of Ten, and with the world suffering from an incurable case of grunge fever, all eyes were on Pearl Jam when it came to their highly-anticipated second album Vs. in October 1993. The reviews were suitably ecstatic Kerrang! proclaiming, Pearl Jam have changed forever the way that rock music can be played yet the question lingered: how could they get any bigger? Simple. Vs. set a new record, selling an astounding 950,378 copies in just five days in the U.S. alone.

8. Press Pause

In 2020, its not uncommon for many of the worlds biggest artists to abstain from doing interviews. Pearl Jam helped blaze this trail. I dont want to be a star, its not worth it, an already fame-fatigued Eddie Vedder told Kerrang! in 1993. I personally think that the less you know about a musician, the better. All that you need is the music. And so it was that Pearl Jam largely stepped back from promoting Vs.. Its often cited that they deliberately sabotaged themselves by doing so, but that is to miss the point entirely. If you hear that none of us in the band are doing interviews, itll just be because were trying to keep a little bit of control on this, Eddie argued, not unreasonably. [Its] a little bit of musicpreservation.

9. Single Video Theory

Part of the bands new anti-promotion approach involved the incredibly bold move to stop making music videos. In the day and age of MTVs global hegemony, this was an unprecedented move. We didnt make a conscious, Were not ever going to do videos again decision, Stone Gossard told Kerrang! years later. It was more a case of every time we had the opportunity to do a video, we all looked at each other and said, Do we want to do a video? Nooooo, I dont think so. True to their word, the band didnt release another music video until 1998s excellent animated clip for Do TheEvolution.

10. Given To Climb

Pearl Jams reputation as a phenomenal live band was initially predicated not only on their prodigious playing, but also on spectacle. Eddie often took his life into his own hands by scaling the most perilously high points of venues/festival scaffolding and swinging or hanging from them. Some people might say that I have a death wish, Eddie told K! around the time. Thats wrong. I have a total lifewish.

11. Brain Of J(eff)

Alongside Iron Maiden and Tool, Pearl Jam have been one of the foremost bands to produce innovative album artwork. In 1996, their fourth album No Codes physical package boasted a collage of 144 interlocking polaroid pictures which, when unfolded and observed from a distance, revealed an eye. Its also crucial to highlight Jeff Aments contribution to this side of the band. Not only did he create their stick man logo and take the photograph of the angora goat on the cover of Vs., working with his brother Barry, plus Coby Schultz and Brad Klausen, they have created hundreds of original (highly collectible) tour posters for individual Pearl Jam shows.

12. Why Go Home?

One of the pillars upon which Pearl Jams legend is built is their preservation of the sanctity of the live experience. Shows often gallop past the three-hour, 30-song mark and at Mansfield, Massachusetts on July 11, 2003, Pearl Jam delivered a 45-song performance, which included a full acoustic set. Weve done it all backwards, joked Jeff to K! in 2018. When we were 25 years old it would have been great to have 45 songs to play And here we are in our 50s, and just trying to stay upright is aprocess.

13. Riot Activism

For Pearl Jam, activism and music have often been inseparable. Eddie Vedder scrawling the words pro-choice on his arm during their MTV Unplugged is but the most famous instance. Their causes have ranged far and wide, from the Tibetan Freedom movement to carbon mitigation and even preservation of wild horses. In 2018, the band helped raise an astounding $10.8 million for Seattles most disadvantagedpeople.

14. Spin The Black Circle

In 2019, Pearl Jam were appointed as official ambassadors of Record Store Day. In truth, they were passionate advocates for the format long before the vinyl revival struck and every band was releasing albums in 50 different colours. In 1994, they issued their classic album Vitalogy on vinyl two weeks before the CD version selling 34,000 copies in its first week alone a record that stood until2014.

15. Plan B-Side

Pearl Jam never play the same show twice. Thats because no band has done more to elevate both B-sides and deep cuts, the group often playing them with the same regularity as their biggest anthems. In the case of Jeremy B-side Yellow Ledbetter, it became one of their standard set closers impressive given few have a clue what the song is actually about. Including the man who originally created it. Eddie started making up words on the spot and we kept them, wrote Mike McCready in the liner notes to 2003 B-side collection Lost Dogs. I still dont know what its about and I dont want to!

16. Radio-Ed

In January 1995, Pearl Jam were taking over the airwaves in more ways than one with DJ Eddie Vedder hosting their very own show christened Self-Pollution Radio. A four-and-a-half hour special broadcast, Self-Pollution featured interviews, two sets from Pearl Jam and live cuts from Soundgarden, Mad Season, Mudhoney and the Fastbacks, plus the debut of a song titled Exhausted, taken from a still untitled, upcoming post-Nirvana project from a certain someone. Youll never guessFoo

17. Masters Of Tour

Famously, in 1994, Pearl Jam entered into a protracted spat with Ticketmaster, taking issue with the additional fees being charged to fans. While the band experimented with numerous ways to circumvent Ticketmaster, they soon struggled to locate venues not beholden to exclusive contracts with the ticketing giant. It is often incorrectly cited that Pearl Jam sued Ticketmaster they didnt but they did journey to the U.S. Congress to argue that the company was tantamount to a monopoly. All the members of Pearl Jam remember what its like to be young and not have a lot of money, said Stone Gossard at a hearing. Weve made a conscious decision that we do not want to put the price of our concerts out of the reach of our fans In 1995 Pearl Jam commenced with their Ticketmaster Boycott Tour by building their own shows, which were subsequently affected by counterfeit tickets and bad weather. The tour was scrapped. Eventually, the Ticketmaster case was closed and headlines declared Pearl Jam the losers. The pages of history, however, have been far kinder in casting them as the noble band who went above and beyond to protect theirfans.

18. Talking 'Bout My Generation(s)

Pearl Jams role as a unifying generational force in rock is commonly overlooked. Bruce Springsteen and The Who rank among their highest-profile fans, but it was in 1995 that this was most clearly seen on top of touring together, Pearl Jam and Neil Young joined forces to record their brilliant album Mirror Ball. Working with him was just surreal, Stone told K!. Youre there, thinking, Okaaaaaay, thats Neil Young! We went in there and hacked as well as wecould!

19. GRAMMY Out Of Control

For many musicians, a GRAMMY win is the ultimate artistic accolade. It is for that reason that Eddies bemused 1996 acceptance speech reverberates to this day. I dont know what this means, I dont think it means anything. Thats just how I feel, he offered, gazing upon Pearl Jams award for Best Hard Rock Performance. Thanks, Iguess.

20. Under The Influence

You dont sell 10 million copies of one album without having a profound impact on the next generation of artists. As such, Pearl Jams influence is felt often in ways undetected in the work of everyone from Corey Taylor and Biffy Clyro to Brian Fallon and BillyTalent.

21. Lights! Cameron! Action!

When Soundgardens Matt Cameron joined Pearl Jam in 1998 it was not only a landmark moment for alt.rock, but also the band. After years of having a revolving cast of drummers, Matt brought a stability that had been lacking. Crucially, he also brought huge tracks, too conjuring up the beloved likes of The Fixer and You Are. Matt Cameron writes songs and we run to find step stools in order to reach his level, said Eddie in Lost Dogs linernotes.

22. Roskilde

It was a tragedy that shook the music world to its core. On June 30, 2000, a crowd crush occurred during Pearl Jams headline set at Roskilde Festival, Denmark, which despite the bands best efforts to calm the situation resulted in the death of nine people. It was the worst thing weve ever experienced, hopefully it will remain so, reflected Eddie to K! in 2009. I was having a really hard time with, Why us? We tried to take care of people, to protect people, to feel responsible for the crowd at all times with ticket prices and their safety. The tragedy nearly broke Pearl Jam. We just had to get through it, somehow, Eddie added. As you do with anything. As you do with death, or any of the negative things that happen to human beings. And we had to keep the musicintact.

23. Monkey (Wrench) Business

In 2012, Metallica launched their own label, Blackened Recordings, and were widely saluted for taking complete control of their art. Yet, all the way back in late 2004, Pearl Jam had made the move to set up their own label Monkeywrench. After experimenting with self-releasing music via The Molo Sessions and releasing their 5K-rated self-titled album as a joint venture with Clive Davis J Records Backspacer eventually became the bands first fully self-released album in2009.

24. Boot Legends

When Gigaton was released on March 27, Pearl Jam officially had 11 studio albums to their name. In truth, however, they have hundreds of albums. Alongside their official live records 1998s Live On Two Legs, 2011s Life On Ten Legs, 2017s Lets Play Two, plus 2007s sprawling, seven-disc Live At The Gorge boxset they have been releasing their live shows as official bootlegs for years. And every tour, that number continues togrow.

25. The Seattle Sound(track)

Pearl Jam have made their mark in Hollywood more times than you would think. The band made cameos in Cameron Crowes 1992 movie Singles, and who could forget Eddie delivering an utterly absurd speech in spoof music biopic Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story? Moreover, many films have benefitted from Pearl Jams music including Big Fish, Reign Over Me and Dead Man Walking but none more so than Eddie Vedders incredible debut solo album Into The Wild serving as the soundtrack to Sean Penns 2007 film of the samename.

26. Beat Around The Bush

Before Green Day, NOFX and other acts were holding George W. Bush to account over the Iraq War, Pearl Jam had been busy locking antlers with the 43rd president of the United States. In 2002, Stone Gossard and Eddie Vedder wrote Bu$hleaguer a bitter critique of Dubya that was played onstage with the frontman wearing a mask of the president. This at a time when national patriotism was at fever pitch in the wake of 9/11. The result? Their HQ received threatening messages. Quarters were hurled at them. They werent fazed. I come from a punk rock background so I love that stuff, Jeff Ament told Kerrang! in 2018. I love people getting mad and getting upset and reacting. Thats the best of art, that you can get a reaction out of somebody whether itsa reaction of pure joy or pure hate. I think both are good. It wouldnt be the last time a president would feel theirwrath

27. PJ20

In 2011 something extraordinary happened: Pearl Jam, after years of embracing their right to privacy, opened the vaults to mark their 20th anniversary. The PJ20 film which debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival saw director Cameron Crowe assemble 30,000 hours of Pearl Jam footage and music, all bolstered with new interviews. It was a revelatory and joyous look into a world that had long been off limits. It was amazing, and I feel honoured that Cameron made it, Mike McCready told Kerrang! in 2013. Sitting there in Toronto, it was a big emotional release. And sad. It was hard towatch.

28. Diss-idents

Currently taking up George W. Bushs former role as a lightning rod for Pearl Jams ire is, unsurprisingly, president Donald Trump. In 2018, the group allowed a huge inflatable balloon of an infantalised Trump to be set up outside their O2 Arena show in London. More damningly, they released the one-off single Cant Deny Me a protest song, featuring the pointed lyrics The country you are now poisoning / Condition critical. And thats just an appetiser compared to some of the lyrics aimed at him onGigaton

29. The Long Road

Trying to order pizza with five guys is hard, said Eddie Vedder at the PJ20 film launch press conference. To get five guys together and make music for this long is a miracle. Behind this is the sobering fact that Pearl Jam are the only one of grunges four superstar acts that never fell apart. The story of Pearl Jam takes the usual rock story and turns it on its head, said Cameron Crowe. Usually it starts out with a spark of brilliance, and then you have success, and tragedy cuts it short. Pearl Jam is tragedy surmounted, joy throughsurvival.

30. It's Evolution, Baby

When Pearl Jam released Gigatons brilliant first single Dance Of The Clairvoyants, it came as a surprise to many. Where has the Talking Heads influence come from? Why is Stone playing bass? Since when has Mike been this funky? Some 30 years into their existence, Pearl Jam are still finding new ways to enchant and confound listeners onGigaton.

Posted on March 31st 2020, 4:05pm

Read more from the original source:

The 30 Stages Of Pearl Jam's Evolution - Kerrang!

Representational Image

The latest study conducted by the team of international scientistsrevealed that the novel coronavirus could have transmitted from animals to humans years before the first case was detected in Wuhan, China.

The novel coronavirus, officially named SARS-CoV-2, has spread across more than 200 countries and territories across the globe. The infection COVID-19 has already claimed more than 43,000 lives since its outbreak back in December 2019 in Wuhan. Ever since the outbreak was reported, researchers have been trying to decode the origin of the novel coronavirus strain.

Origin of novel coronavirus

Using a comparative analysis of genomic datacollected from various genetic studies of the coronavirusan international team of researchers propose two possible hypotheses about the origin of this deadly virus.

Among the origin hypothesis, one theory suggests that novel coronavirus may have crossed from the animal barrier to settle in humansbefore it evolved into an active strain and started to induce the disease. It is possible that a progenitor of SARS-CoV-2 jumped into humans, acquiring the genomic features through adaptation during undetected human-to-human transmission, says the paper.

Another, far scarier scenario is that it evolved into the current strain in an animal host before transmission to humans. In this scenario, there is the risk of future re-emergence similar outbreaks, the study highlights.

The correspondence was published in Nature Medicine. The researchers compared the genetic code of the novel coronavirus from its ancestral strains, found in bats and pangolin, to understand the evolutionary history of the virus. The researchers from different institutes in the United States, Britain and Australia, also explain the notable features of the SARS-CoV-2 genome in this paper.

A bat or a pangolin?

In December end, when the suspicious cases of pneumonia emerged in Wuhan, it was linked to the Huanan Market in the province, which indicated the presence of an animal source for the spread of the virus.

Soon, an unknown strain of the virus was isolated by the team of researchers from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The origin of the strain was traced to a bat virus found close to the China-Myanmar border. However, the bat coronavirus and the novel coronavirus strains were only 96 percent similarnot sufficient to attribute as the definite source. The bat virus did not showcase the presence of spike proteinrequired for the virus to bind in human cells.

The study also highlights the presence of the SARS-CoV-2-related coronavirus in the illegally imported Malayan pangolins. Further, the analyses showcased the presence of spike protein required to optimise the virus for transmission in humans among the coronaviruses found in pangolins.

However, the present study reveals that the novel coronavirus found responsible for the current outbreak had a mutation in its genes at the polybasic cleavage site, which was not found in both coronaviruses identified in bats and pangolins.

Evolution of coronavirus by natural selection

Analysing the research so far, the scientists say that the novel coronavirus had acquired both the polybasic cleavage site and mutations in the spike protein suitable for binding to humans naturally. The question, however, remains whether this natural selection occurred in humans or animals.

The spike protein interacts with furin, a widely distributed enzyme in the human body. This interaction mediates the fusion of virus and human cell membranes, which triggers the symptoms and makes it contagious. Some of the virus diseases like HIV and Ebola also have the furin-like cleavage site, which makes them contagious.

Moreover, the study also says an animal host to allow natural selection efficiently, there has to be a high population density. The dwindling population of pangolins is, therefore, may not be an ideal host for such a mutation to occur.

The study concludes that it is important to understand the properties of a virus to trace the origins of the pandemic. Scientists hope that a detailed understanding of how an animal virus-infected humans will help in the prevention of future zoonotic events.

See the original post:

Novel Coronavirus Could Have Entered and Evolved in Humans Much Before Outbreak in Wuhan: Study - The Weather Channel

If there's one piece of software that has held up remarkably well over several decades, it's Microsoft's (NASDAQ:MSFT) Office suite of productivity apps. From business to personal life, the applications in Office have proven their value time and time again to people all over the world. Perhaps because of that, Microsoft has used Office as a means to push forward the definition of what software is, how it should be delivered, how it should be sold, what platforms it should run on, and much more over the last decade or so.

In June of 2011, for example, the company officially unveiled Office 365, which provided access to all the same applications in the regular suite but in a subscription-like "service" form that was delivered (and updated) via the internet. Since then, the company has added new features and functions to the service, made it available to mobile platforms such as Android and iOS, in addition to Windows and MacOS, and generally used it as a means to expand how people think about applications they use on a regular basis. In the process, Microsoft has made many people comfortable with the idea of cloud-based software becoming a cloud-based service.

Yesterday, the company took the next step in the evolution of the product and renamed the consumer, as well as the small and medium business versions of Office 365 to Microsoft 365-changes that will all occur on April 21. The name change is obviously a subtle one, but beyond the title, the changes run much deeper. Specifically, the new brand reflects how the set of applications that make up the company's popular subscription-based offering is evolving. It also reflects how the company itself is changing.

In the case of the SMB versions of Microsoft 365, the name change is simply a branding one, which better reflects that the service includes more than just basic office productivity, particularly with the Teams collaboration tools and service. For the new consumer-oriented Personal and Family versions of Microsoft 365, the changes are more extensive.

Notably, the consumer versions of Microsoft 365 include the addition of several new applications, a number of AI-powered intelligent enhancements to existing applications and-in an important first for Microsoft-some mobile-first advancements. The new version of the Microsoft Editor function works across Word, Outlook.com, and the web, and is essentially a Grammarly competitor that moves beyond simple spell and grammar checking to making AI-powered rewriting suggestions, avoiding plagiarism and more.

The AI-based Designer feature in PowerPoint-which I have found to be incredibly useful-has been enhanced in this latest version of Microsoft 365 to support a wider array of content that it can "beautify" and includes support for a greatly expanded library of supplementary graphics, videos, fonts and templates.

The biggest change to Excel is the forthcoming addition of Money for Excel, an add-in that gives it Quicken-like money and account management features. In addition, working in conjunction with Wolfram Alpha, Microsoft is adding in support for over 100 new "smart" data types that makes it significantly easier to track everything from calories to travel locations and more. In essence, it provides the type of intelligence that people may have expected computing devices and applications to have all along.

The addition of both Teams (for Consumers) and Family Safety are interesting because of the capabilities they bring to the service and because both will launch first on mobile OSes-Android and iOS. Microsoft has had mobile versions of its main productivity suite apps, as well as its One Drive storage service for a while now, but this Microsoft 365 launch marks the first time the company will debut new apps in mobile form. On the one hand, the move is logical and not terribly surprising given how much people use their mobile devices today-particularly for communications and tracking, which are the core functions of Teams and Family Safety respectively. Nevertheless, it's still noteworthy, because it does show how Microsoft has been able to pivot on its typical "deliver on PC first" strategy and keep itself as relevant as possible.

In the case of Teams, the company isn't replicating its Enterprise version, but instead has developed a consumer-focused edition that allows for real-time chats, document sharing, creating and tracking lists, and more in a manner that should make sense for most consumers. Family Safety is completely new and allows parents to provide limits and controls on digital device usage and content, as well as track the physical location and even driving of other family members. Importantly, Microsoft made the point to say that it's doing all these things without sharing (or certainly not selling) any of this information to auto insurance companies, advertisers or any other companies. While the company would have undoubtedly created a bit of an outcry if it did any of that, it was still reassuring to hear a big tech vendor emphasize these privacy and security-focused concerns. Let's hope all major tech vendors follow suit.

Speaking of privacy and security, Microsoft took the opportunity with its Microsoft 365 launch announcement to also unveil the latest version of Microsoft Edge, the company's significantly improved browser. In addition to several convenience-based features, such as the addition of vertical tabs, smart copying from web pages, and the ability to easily create portable "collections" of content from web-based sources, the company debuted some important privacy features as well. Password Monitor, for example, can automatically track whether any of your logins are available on the dark web and encourage you to change your passwords on sites where that may have occurred.

Given the huge number of security breaches and data exposure that have impacted almost all of us at this point, this could prove to be an incredibly valuable new feature. In addition, the company added refined tracking controls that allows you to set the amount information you are willing to share with other websites as a result of your browsing sessions.

All told, it was a pretty impressive set of announcements that highlights how Microsoft has managed to continue adjusting its strategies to match the changing needs of the market and its customers. Of course, many consumers will still be content using the free versions of the basic Office applications and services that Microsoft will continue to make available even after April 21. However, the functionality that the company has built into its new Microsoft 365 Personal and Family offerings will be compelling enough for many to make the switch, and the success that the Office suite of applications has enjoyed for so long will continue with the new Microsoft 365.

Disclaimer: Some of the author's clients are vendors in the tech industry

Disclosure: None.

Original Post

Editor's Note: The summary bullets for this article were chosen by Seeking Alpha editors.

See the rest here:

Microsoft 365 Shift Demonstrates Evolution Of Cloud-Based Services - Seeking Alpha

Written by Marianna Cerini, CNN

For centuries, hair dye has been pivotal in helping people portray a certain image -- to either fit in with the beauty standards of the day or to dramatically subvert them.

Women in particular have long tried to conform with the notion that female beauty comes with a glossy mane -- from blonde to black to dusted with gold or flour, depending on the time and place.

"Throughout history, the status of our hair has served as an instant visual cue for value judgment," said Caterina Gentili, PhD candidate at the Centre for Appearance Research in England, in a phone interview. "One of the many ways for society to objectify female bodies, and deem them worthy, or not, of attention."

In recent decades, Gentili said "hair color products have become a key tool for women to stay visible, and shield them from one of the biggest stigmas placed on them: aging."

However, the figures don't show a small, growing trend among women to embrace their natural locks -- grays included -- as a statement against traditional gender expectations.

Now, dying your hair is not solely about covering up imperfections; it's about upending ideals, making a bold statement and reclaiming your natural hue.

From leeches and sulfuric acid to synthetic dyes

In its early iterations, hair coloring was done by both men and women to enhance their looks or hide white strands, according to Victoria Sherrow's "Encyclopedia of Hair: A Cultural History."

Ancient civilizations used rudimentary hair colorants, based on recipes that included cassia bark, leeks, leeches, charred eggs, henna -- still commonly used across the Middle East and India -- and even gold dust.

Ancient Greeks favored gold and red-gold shades, associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love, health and youthfulness. Likewise, high-class Greek and Roman prostitutes opted for blonde hues to suggest sensuality.

This advertisement for Circassian hair dye published in 1843 promises to change light hair into "beautiful" brown or black. Credit: Bettman Archive/Getty Images

It wasn't until the Middle Ages in Europe that hair dyeing began shifting into a predominantly female habit.

Bleaches, often made with blended flowers, saffron and calf kidneys, were particularly in vogue, although Roman Catholics associated blond hair with lasciviousness.

Red dyes, often a mix of saffron and sulfur powder -- the latter of which could induce nosebleeds and headaches, was popularized during the 16th-century reign of Elizabeth I of England.

The hue was a favorite in Italian courts as well, thanks to Renaissance artist Titian, who painted female beauties with red-gold locks. In the 18th century, European elites favored perfumed white and pastel powders made from wheat flour dusted lightly onto natural hair and wigs.

While most hair dyes were composed of plants and animal products, the evolution of the practice also saw the use of dangerous, even lethal methods to change hair color: lead combs to darken it, or sulfuric acid to lighten it.

It wasn't until the early 20th century that hair dye as we know it -- chemical, in a rainbow of colors, shop-bought or salon-applied -- came to be.

In 1907, a young French chemist named Eugene Schueller used para-phenylenediamine (PPD), a chemical discovered in the previous century, for the world's first synthetic dye, which he called "Oral."

Two years later, Schueller founded his business, the French Harmless Hair Dye Company -- a name meant to alleviate people's fears of using manufactured hair color. In 1909, he decided to change it to something a little snappier: L'Oral.

A shop assistant holds a color sample against a customer's hair in 1965. Credit: Angelo Cozzi/Mondadori/Getty Images

The aging card

For the first decades of the 20th century, women were fearful of commercial dye formulants. Chemical hair color was considered unsafe, and the practice itself had an image problem: as in the modest Victorian era, it was seen as something vain women, not respectable housewives, would do.

In the 1940s, even as the beauty trend became more popular, salons offered back entrances for clients who didn't want to make their dye habits known.

To expand their market, some beauty companies decided to tap into the anxiety around aging and sell color as a way to cover up gray hair. A black-and-white French L'Oral ad from the 1920s depicted a sad-looking woman next to a smiling version of herself in a black bob; the English translation reads: "Not one more white hair; forever 30 years old."

A Clairol print campaign from 1943, "Gray Hair -- The Heartless Dictator," declared: "Without justice or kindness, gray hair can rule your life... It can dictate many things you say or do. No wonder other women refuse to tolerate this tyrant."

"While the ideal had been perpetuated for generations, the modern beauty industry pushed it in a more aggressive way, playing on insecurities (and) self-doubt."

Advertisers saw an opportunity to market home coloring kits to women in the 1950s. Credit: Found Image Holdings/Corbis/Getty Images

But dyeing is no longer just about natural looks. Dip dyes and rainbow hues spanning pink, turquoise and violet have become fashionable for young women across the world and, to an extent, men (such as celebrities Jared Leto and Zayn Malik). Bright shades also began appearing on armpit hair, notably by Miley Cyrus.

Color is now used to make a bold individual statement. Credit: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Roxie Jane Hunt, a Seattle-based hair stylist who specializes in rainbow dyes, sees this new approach as a way "to demonstrate personal choice and play around with identity," she said over the phone. "A lot of women feel like they want to stand out, not blend in."

Japanese twins Ami and Aya -- "Amiya" -- during Paris Fashion Week, March, 2020. Credit: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Gray is the new blond

Suddenly, gray tones were cool -- albeit, one might argue, only on women under 40, and when achieved via costly colorants and treatments.

While gray coloring might trend on Instagram, natural gray hair still has a complicated reputation for women around the world -- and in China, men.

"Gray has been made out to be something to be avoided at all costs in the name of self-respect," Robinson noted.

Jamie Lee Curtis at the "Knives Out" film premiere in Los Angeles in November, 2019. Credit: David Buchan/Shutterstock

For the handful of famous women who have embraced it -- Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, Jamie Lee Curtis, Theresa May, Christine Lagarde -- there's a much larger segment of the entertainment, cultural and political worlds that have not.

"The lack of white-haired role models or naturally graying young stylish icons isn't at all surprising," Gentili said. "For a long time, and still today, a woman with gray hair would conjure up images of a grandmother: wise and nurturing, but completely desexualized. Salt-and-pepper men on the other hand -- even that expression is so different! -- are seen as distinguished, charismatic, confident, experienced, sexy."

"Embracing natural gray hair truly is a lifestyle shift, not just a trend," she said. Most people who do it don't usually return to dyeing. It's a liberating decision."

She notices how young some of the posters are, and hopes the term "premature graying," which describes people in their 20s and 30s, can be re-evaluated.

"Is it truly 'premature graying,' or has hair dye been established as such a standard that we don't know what natural looks like at certain ages?"

Be it gray or lime green, embracing a color change outside of the established canon is, for many, a leap of faith.

"It's a form of self-expression," Hunt said.

All the more if you're asserting yourself as a woman who is not afraid of aging.

"It takes courage," Gentili said. "It's a choice far more rebellious than any pink dye will ever be."

Top image caption: Model Sita Abellan outside Paco Rabanne, during Paris Fashion Week on September 26, 2019.

Follow this link:

From rainbow to gray: The evolution of hair dye - CNN

Editors note: The profoundest mystery and thus the deepest inspiration is life itself. Discovery Institute Press has just published a greatly expanded edition of the 1984 classic of intelligent design science literature,The Mystery of Lifes Origin. Below is an excerpt adapted from a brand new chapter. Dr. Wells, the author of the chapter, is a Senior Fellow with the Center for Science & Culture. He holds PhDs in Molecular and Cell Biology (U.C. Berkeley) and Religious Studies (Yale University).

The Miller-Urey experiment may well be called the poster child for origin-of-life research. Most modern biology students have seen some version of the drawing below, which represents an experimental apparatus used in 1952 by University of Chicago graduate student Stanley L. Miller. Because Miller performed his experiment under the supervision of Nobel laureate Harold C. Urey, and the results were published in 1953, it became known as the 1953 Miller-Urey experiment.

In 2000, I published a book titled Icons of Evolution: Why Much of What we Teach About Evolution is Wrong. I described and analyzed ten images (icons of evolution) commonly used in biology textbooks to teach high school and college students about evolutionary theory. I showed that all ten icons misrepresent the evidence and that some scientists had known this for decades.

After 2000, some textbooks were corrected, but in many cases the corrections were minor and the books continued to perpetuate the misrepresentations. This prompted me to publish another book in 2017, titled Zombie Science, which included six more icons of evolution that I didnt have room to include in my 2000 book. All sixteen icons misrepresented the evidence, but many were still being used in 2017. I called this zombie science, because although the icons were empirically dead they continued to stalk our classrooms and research institutions.

I argued that this was not due simply to laziness or a reluctance to give up an attractive theory. It revealed something much deeper: a dogmatic commitment to materialistic philosophy. Biology courses were being misused to indoctrinate students in materialism, the view that only material objects and the forces among them are real. In this view free will, spirit, intelligent design, and God are mere illusions.

One of the icons of evolution was the Miller-Urey experiment.

Read the rest inThe Mystery of Lifes Origin: The Continuing Controversy, from Discovery Institute Press.

Photo credit: In the Miller-Urey apparatus, a spark from two electrodes simulated lightning, shown above, by Griffinstorm / CC BY-SA.

Visit link:

Textbooks Still Misrepresent the Origin of Life - Discovery Institute

Aarran Summers

Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister each made fifty appearances for Manchester United in their first Premier League title-winning season in 1992/ 93. It was this defensive stability and ingenuity that allowed Alex Ferguson to win his first domestic title of many in England.

England's first division was now rebranded, income was flowing like never before, and new talent from abroad was arriving. The league was undergoing a new identity, and it was evident that the style of play, particularly defending, was going to change forever.

English football is famed for its aggressive defensive approach. It was all about intimidating the opponent without the ball, tackling hard when the opponent had the ball.

Bruce was known for his excellent heading ability, and he also able to go forward more often than players of today. Contrast that with Rio Ferdinand, arguably the most successful defender in United's history, a player once labelled by Ferguson as the best defender in the world.

Several English journalists regarded Ferdinand as one of country's best continental style defenders. His game featured on playing the football from out the back, instead of the route one style we rarely see today. The emphasis now shifted to retaining possession, starting from the back, instead of potentially losing it at the first opportune moment.

Ferdinand could also cope with playing against lower league sides in the FA Cup to playing against strong attack-minded teams in the UEFA Champions League, by merely adapting his game.

Tony Adams was also a Premier League winner and forged incredible partnerships with the likes of Lee Dixon and Martin Keown. Despite their dominance and persistent defending, they were unable to achieve what their teammates managed some four years after Arsenal secured their first Premier League title.

Arsenal's unbeaten season centred around their unique attacking play but also their dogged defensive approach. As football evolves the level of talent in a squad does not necessarily run parallel with that, as an unbeaten season should epitomise a defensive masterclass.

Liverpool's star defender, Virgil van Dijk, is a prime example of this. The Dutchman enjoyed one a run of not being dribbled past in 2019. His no-nonsense approach, however, is similar to that of Bruce some twenty-five years earlier.

There are more foreign players in the Premier League than there were in 1993, and every player has introduced their own culture to the competition. The evolution of defending goes hand in hand with the development of attacking. Where the pace of the striker has increased, so too has the defender.

There are always exciting debates as to whether Bruce or anyone from the 1990s could compete with players of today. The players are fitter like never before. The approach has certainly changed.

If Bruce were playing in his prime today, he probably would end up on his backside if Lionel Messi sprinted past him. However, the Argentine would undoubtedly know about it, if Bruce made contact, with his usual ruthless enthusiasm.

See the original post here:

The Evolution of Defending in the Premier League: From Bruce to Van Dijk - beIN SPORTS MENA Breaking News

Many frogs look like a water balloon with legs, but don't be fooled. Beneath slick skin, some species sport spines, spikes and other skeletal secrets.

While most frogs share a simple skull shape with a smooth surface, others have evolved fancier features, such as faux fangs, elaborate crests, helmet-like fortification and venom-delivering spikes. A new study is the first to take a close look at the evolution and function of these armored frog skulls.

Florida Museum of Natural History researchers used 3D data to study skull shape in 158 species representing all living frog families. Radically shaped skulls were often covered in intricate patterns of grooves, ridges and pits formed by extra layers of bone. The research team found that this trait, known as hyperossification, has evolved more than 25 times in frogs. Species with the same feeding habits or defenses tended to develop similarly shaped and patterned skulls, even if they were separated by millions of years of evolution.

"Superficially, frogs may look similar, but when you look at their skulls, you see drastic differences," said Daniel Paluh, the study's lead author and a University of Florida doctoral student. "Some of the weirdest skulls are found in frogs that eat birds and mammals, use their heads as a shield, or in a few rare cases, are venomous. Their skulls show how strange and diverse frogs can be."

The last comprehensive study of frog skulls was published in 1973. Since then, scientists have doubled the number of described frog species, updated our understanding of their evolutionary relationships and developed new analytical techniques with the help of CT scanning.

This enabled Paluh to use 36 landmarks on frog skulls, scanned and digitized as part of the National Science Foundation-fundedoVertproject, to analyze and compare shapes across the frog tree of life.

"Before we had methods to digitize specimens, really the only way to quantify shape was to take linear measurements of each skull," he said.

Not only do hyperossification and bizarre skull shapes tend to appear together, Paluh found, but they are often associated with frogs that eat either very large prey or use their heads for defense.

Frogs that eat other vertebrates - birds, reptiles, other frogs and mice - often have giant, roomy skulls, with a jaw joint near the back. This gives them a bigger gape with which to scoop up their prey, Paluh said, referencing Pacman frogs as one example. His analysis showed these species' skulls are stippled with tiny pits, which could provide extra strength and bite force.

Nearly all frogs lack teeth on their lower jaw, but some, such as Budgett's frogs, have evolved lower fanglike structures that allow them to inflict puncture wounds on their prey. One species, Guenther's marsupial frog, has true teeth on both jaws and can eat prey more than half its body length.

Other frogs use their heads to plug the entrance of their burrows as protection from predators. These species tend to have cavernous skulls overlaid with small spikes. A few, such as Bruno's casque-headed frog, were recently discovered to be venomous. When a predator rams the head of one these frogs, specialized spikes pierce venom glands just under the skin as a defense.

While the study showed a persistent overlap between hyperossification and fanciful skull shape, researchers aren't sure which came first. Did frogs start eating large prey and then evolve beefier skulls or vice versa?

"That's kind of a 'chicken or the egg' question," Paluh said.

The common ancestor of today's 7,000 frog species did not have an ornamented skull. But heavily fortified skulls do appear in even more ancient frog ancestors, said David Blackburn, Florida Museum curator ofherpetologyand study co-author.

"While the ancestor of all frogs did not have a hyperossified skull, that's how the skulls of quite ancient amphibian ancestors were built," he said. "These frogs might be using ancient developmental pathways to generate features that characterized their ancestors deep in the past."

Previous studies proposed that frogs evolved hyperossification to prevent water loss in dry environments, but Paluh's research found that habitat and hyperossification were not necessarily linked. The trait shows up in frogs that live underground, in trees, in water and on land.

But habitat does influence skull shape: Aquatic frogs tend to have long, flat skulls, while digging species often have short skulls with pointed snouts, a shape that also enables them to use their mouths like chopsticks to catch small, scurrying prey such as ants and termites, Paluh said. These species include the Mexican burrowing toad and the Australian tortoise frog - distant relatives that live in different parts of the world.

While the study sheds new light on frog skull shape, Blackburn said we still don't know much about the basic biology of frogs.

"Weirdly, it's easier for us to generate beautiful images of skulls than it is to know what these frogs eat," Blackburn said. "Natural history remains quite hard. Just because we know things exist doesn't mean we know anything about them."

The study will publish this week in theProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The rest is here:

How and why some frogs evolved extreme heads - Jill Lopez

Express News Service

BENGALURU: The current coronavirus outbreak feels like something out of a Science Fiction (SF) novel to many fans of SF, who recall Dean Koonz having mentioned Wuhan-400 as the origin of a virus in his 1981 novel, The Eyes of Darkness. Neither Koonz nor his fellow SF writers have powers of prophecy. Their prescience is merely the result of their having used their imagination and creativity to extrapolate the cultural reality of their time into the future.

So, what is the genesis of this genre? Mary Shelleys Frankenstein in 1818 was the first true sci-fi novel in a genre that has historically been dominated by men (Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, Aldous Huxley, Michael Crichton, Kurt Vonnegut, L Ron Hubbard etc). Kicking off modern SF in the 1940s and 1950s were writers like Asimov, Joseph Campbell and Robert Heinlein who reflected optimism and excitement about things like space travel and the power of technology to solve humanitys problems.

The New Wave in the 1960s and 1970s (Samuel Delany, Thomas Disch etc) saw more cynical and experimental explorations, while cyberpunk in the 1980s evoked even darker visions of a humanity enslaved to technology that exacerbated social inequity. By the turn of the century, SF became the visionary vehicle for many innovative ideas about nanotechnology, smart matter, virtual reality and so on. Kim Stanley Robinsons books on terraforming Mars spring to mind. In the past decade, SF by and about people of colour, women, and LGBTQIA+ persons have brought fresh perspectives to the genre.

Star Trek and Star Wars exposed me (and probably my entire generation) to SF. My favourites, Aldous Huxleys Brave New World and George Orwells 1984, are in the sub-genre of speculative fiction. Huxleys last novel, Island, a provocative counterpoint to Brave New World, depicts an ideal society on a remote island. In The Giver by Lois Lowry, a society that has eliminated pain and strife by converting to Sameness has also removed emotional depth from their lives. Douglas Adams The HitchhikersGuide to the Galaxy was probably was the first satire of fantasy fiction. Some books and movies attained cult status in India: 2001: A Space Odyssey directed by Stanley Kubrick, based on Arthur C Clarkes novella; Logans Run, Blade Runner, Soylent Green, and Andrei Tarkovskys masterpiece, Solaris.

While most SF was dominated by robot rebellion, apocalypse, or tyrannical governance, Dune, Foundation, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, Stranger in a Strange Land, Neuromancer, The Left Hand of Darkness, Ringworld, and Rendezvous with Rama offered intellectually challenging plots and philosophically imagined worlds. In India, the gentler, more narrative-driven world of Fantasy fiction and cinema, as exemplified in Lord of the Rings, Narnia, HarryPotter, the Dark Materials Trilogy, The Hunger Games, and the Game of Thrones, would eventually usurp the spot the great sci-fi novels once had.

Contemporary novels and short stories in the SF genre incorporate the tech world and faithfully depict it, but add a slight element of fiction a good example being the recent bestseller (now a movie) by Dave Eggers called The Circle, a techno-thriller of sorts. Cixin Lius recent success with The Three Body Problem is backed by solid scientific knowledge (physics, software engineering etc) and magnificent philosophical imagination.

The greatest challenge for SF writers is to explore the future in a realistic manner. As the best-selling author of Sapiens Professor Yuval Noah Harari says, Science Fiction shapes the understanding of the public on things like artificial intelligence and biotechnology, which are likely to change our lives and society more than anything else in the coming decades.The author is a technologist based in Silicon Valley who is gently mad about books.

See the rest here:

The evolution of Science Fiction - The New Indian Express

Brock Lesnars career in the WWE has ran nearly 20 years, give or take his break away from the company for his time in the UFC. He started with the WWE in 2000with OVW and by 2002 he was a WWE Champion, the youngest in company history. Over that time, Brock has been called many things, including the Next Big Thing, and he definitely earned that nickname. With Paul Heyman by his side, Brock has basically been the face of WWE for nearly two decades and is the most legit athlete the promotion has ever had.

His evolution from amateur wrestler to now current WWE Champion is simply amazing. All with Paul Heyman being his advocate, Lesnar is one of the most talented stars in WWE today and has evolved into a big box office name for the WWE, who only have him wrestle at the biggest events. Its why his contract is something everyone wants, where he wrestles with limited dates and gets millions of dollars. Here is Brocks evolution from rookie to champion.

Before joining WWE, Brock Lesnar was one of the best amateur wrestlers in the country as he won the 2000 NCAA Division 1 Heavyweight wrestling championship in his senior year at the University of Minnesota. He finished as a two-time NCAA All-American, two-time Big Ten Conference champion and had a record of 106-5 in four years.

When he signed with the WWE, he was sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling, which was WWEs developmental territory at the time. There he teamed with his University of Minnesota roommate Shelton Benjamin as a tag team known as the Minnesota Stretching Crew and they won the OVW Southern Tag Team Champions three different times.

Brock Lesnar made his debut right after WrestleMania, attacking Al Snow, Maven and Spike Dudley during their match. He was accompanied by Paul Heyman to the ring, which marks the first time they were paired together. Its here where he was dubbed by Heyman, The Next Big Thing and his first feud was with the Hardy Boyz.

Brock Lesnars push was accelerated as by June, he was in the King of the Ring tournament. On RAW, Brock defeated Bubba Ray Dudley and Booker T, and then at the Pay Per View, he defeated Test in his semi-final match and Rob Van Dam in the final. The winner was granted a WWE Undisputed Championship match at SummerSlam.

With Brock Lesnar winning the King of the Ring, he got a title shot against The Rock for the WWE Undisputed Championship. Brock would hit The Rock with an F-5 and win the championship, becoming the youngest person in WWE history to win the top title. It was also only just months after debuting.

Brock Lesnar would lose the title and start a feud with Big Show late in the year and he needed to win the Royal Rumble match in order to get a shot at Kurt Angle for the title. He would beat Big Show in a match for a spot in the Rumble and eliminate the Undertaker last to secure his spot in the main event of WrestleMania.

Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle was a dream match of sorts because of their amateur wrestling background. Angle was walking in injured and Brock injured himself when he tried to perform a shooting star press, a move he used in OVW but never used on the main roster. He would pin Angle and regain the title.

Brock Lesnar would leave WWE in 2004 and tried his like at football. But he eventually went to Japan and in his debut match, he defeated Kazuyuki Fujita and Masahiro Chono for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. New Japan would strip Lesnar of the title months later for not defending it due to visa issues.

Brock Lesnar would now turn his attention to mixed martial arts and specifically, the UFC. He lost his first match to Frank Mir but was granted a UFC Heavyweight championship match at UFC 91 against Randy Couture. Lesnar won in the second round to become the new champion in just his fourth MMA fight.

After time in the UFC, Brock Lesnar returned to the WWE in 2012 and faced John Cena. He was brought in to bring legitimacy back to the WWE, as they were capitalizing off his success in MMA. Very quickly, Paul Heyman was brought back as Lesnars advocate to do all his speaking for him leading up to matches.

The biggest win in WWE history belongs to Brock Lesnar, who at WrestleMania 30, ended the Undertakers undefeated streak at 21 wins. It was a complete shock to everyone in attendance, as Brock hit multiple F-5s on the Undertaker, who had to go to the hospital after the match. It started a long feud between the two.

Related:20 Little Known Facts About Brock Lesnar's Private Life

The victory over Undertaker sparked a very dangerous Brock Lesnar as he was booked to be ruthless. In his first title match back, Brock delivered 16 suplexes to John Cena at SummerSlam and two F-5s, while Cena got in very little offense. He pinned Cena to become the WWE World Heavyweight champion.

When the WWE brought in the Universal Championship, Brock Lesnar won the title after beat Goldberg in a WrestleMania match, avenging his Survivor Series loss in 86 seconds to the man who now holds the title. Brock pinned him and held the title for 504 days, the sixth-longest world championship reign in WWE history.

At Money in the Bank, Brock Lesnar replaced Sami Zayn in the match and quickly climbed the ladder to win the briefcase, giving him a shot at any title he wanted. It started a small comedy time for Brock, who often put the briefcase up to his shoulder like a boombox and said it was a Brock party. He would cash it in on Seth Rollins at Extreme Rules to win the title again.

When WWE moved Smackdown to FOX, Brock Lesnar was given a title shot against Kofi Kingston for the WWE Championship. Brock won the match in seconds to win his fifth WWE Championship. This also marked Lesnars first television match in 15 years, as Brock only fought on pay per views until then.

Next:8 Wrestlers That Are Banned From Working With Brock (And 8 He'd Wrestle Any Day)

Next8 Former WCW Stars That Became Successful Without WWE (And 7 That Struggled)

Read the original here:

15 Photos That Show The Evolution Of Brock Lesnar | TheThings - TheThings

The exponential growth of esports presents new opportunities for the gaming community. In a recent interview, professional investor Marin Katusa sat down with Adrian Montgomery, CEO of Enthusiast Gaming (TSX:EGLX) (our parent company) to discuss the esports and video game potential golden moment during this global shutdown.

As most traditional sports events around the world are being cancelled, were seeing a rapid adaptation towards online, from the star F-1 driver to the NFL superstar firing up a live stream from his living room. The clear winners are Youtube and Twitch, taking over spaces where the old medium of TV and the likes of ESPN. Gaming continues to be a social phenomenon that transcends generations and gender, dwarfing Hollywood and poised to displace traditional sports. The trajectory were on is very exciting, and booming during these challenging times as more people stay home.

Its a 28 minute interview on the evolution of media and worth a watch. You can also download the full report and interview.

Read more:

Interview: How to participate in the next evolution of sports - GamingStreet

United States Steel Corporation (X) is priced at $6.39 after the most recent trading session. At the very opening of the session, the stock price was $6.11 and reached a high price of $7.18, prior to closing the session it reached the value of $6.31. The stock touched a low price of $5.98.

United States Steel Corporation had a pretty Dodgy run when it comes to the market performance. The 1-year high price for the companys stock is recorded $20.53 on 04/03/19, with the lowest value was $4.54 for the same time period, recorded on 03/16/20.

Price records that include history of low and high prices in the period of 52 weeks can tell a lot about the stocks existing status and the future performance. Presently, United States Steel Corporation shares are logging -68.87% during the 52-week period from high price, and 40.75% higher than the lowest price point for the same timeframe. The stocks price range for the 52-week period managed to maintain the performance between $4.54 and $20.53.

The companys shares, operating in the sector of basic materials managed to top a trading volume set approximately around 30.2 million for the day, which was evidently higher, when compared to the average daily volumes of the shares.

When it comes to the year-to-date metrics, the United States Steel Corporation (X) recorded performance in the market was -44.00%, having the revenues showcasing -44.00% on a quarterly basis in comparison with the same period year before. At the time of this writing, the total market value of the company is set at 1.15B, as it employees total of 27500 workers.

During the last month, 0 analysts gave the United States Steel Corporation a BUY rating, 0 of the polled analysts branded the stock as an OVERWEIGHT, 9 analysts were recommending to HOLD this stock, 1 of them gave the stock UNDERWEIGHT rating, and 5 of the polled analysts provided SELL rating.

According to the data provided on Barchart.com, the moving average of the company in the 100-day period was set at 10.11, with a change in the price was noted -6.45. In a similar fashion, United States Steel Corporation posted a movement of -50.23% for the period of last 100 days, recording 15,737,568 in trading volumes.

Total Debt to Equity Ratio (D/E) can also provide valuable insight into the companys financial health and market status. The debt to equity ratio can be calculated by dividing the present total liabilities of a company by shareholders equity. Debt to Equity thus makes a valuable metrics that describes the debt, company is using in order to support assets, correlating with the value of shareholders equity. The total Debt to Equity ratio for X is recording 0.89 at the time of this writing. In addition, long term Debt to Equity ratio is set at 0.89.

Raw Stochastic average of United States Steel Corporation in the period of last 50 days is set at 33.70%. The result represents downgrade in oppose to Raw Stochastic average for the period of the last 20 days, recording 53.62%. In the last 20 days, the companys Stochastic %K was 45.10% and its Stochastic %D was recorded 38.77%.

If we look into the earlier routines of United States Steel Corporation, multiple moving trends are noted. Year-to-date Price performance of the companys stock appears to be encouraging, given the fact the metric is recording -44.00%. Additionally, trading for the stock in the period of the last six months notably deteriorated by -46.44%, alongside a downfall of -67.94% for the period of the last 12 months. The shares increased approximately by 15.88% in the 7-day charts and went up by 8.86% in the period of the last 30 days. Common stock shares were lifted by -44.00% during last recorded quarter.

Read this article:

United States Steel Corporation (X) is primed for evolution with the beta value of 2.87 - The InvestChronicle

Trainers are currently participating in the Ultra League section of GO Battle League, which means no Pokemon over 2,500 CP. Prior to the actual battling, players will need to build a team of species within the confines of the Ultra League limit. To do so you'll need to know when to evolve certain Pokemon to keep them under 2,500 CP. Here's a list of the more commonly seen species and their evolution limits.

Adhering to the limit seems simple enough but when you do not know what CP a Pokemon will become when evolving it, it can become tricky. You'll need to know the maximum CP a particular Pokemon can be before evolving it.

One mistake and you may have a Pokemon that isn't eligible. Even worse, it's more than likely that Pokemon will be too weak to compete in Master League, too.

Experienced Pokemon Go trainer will know that species increase CP at different rates. For example, evoling Caterpie into Metapod won't increase its CP by much. Conversely, evolving Feebas into Milotic sees a drastic CP increase.

Fortunately there are Pokemon Go evolution calculators out there. Any Pokemon at any given CP can have a wide range of IVs, which means a definitive CP it will evolve into can't be shared. Therefore these calculators provide a range of the CP that it can evolve into.

Now, there's a balance between getting as close to the 2,500 CP limit and going past it. Ideally, you don't want to have to use too much precious Stardust to power it up to that limit.

On the other hand, going past it is disastrous. As such it is always better to evolve the Pokemon before powering it up. This way you get to see its moveset too. We've also made a list for the Great League CP evolution limits, too.

Courtesy of PokeAssistant, here are the CP ranges you should be looking for for some of the most frequently seen Pokemon in Ultra League:

Here are a selection of effective but slightly less popular Pokemon for Ultra League:

To be clear these are ranges, so if you want to guarantee you won't break the 2,500 CP limit you'll need to evolve them at lower CP than listed. Getting your Pokemon right on the Ultra League limit will no doubt cost you a lot of hard-earned Stardust, so try not to make any mistakes!

See the article here:

When to evolve Pokemon to keep them within the Ultra League CP limit - Dexerto

And while his seminal work laid the foundation for evolutionary biology, one major point of his was never proven.

Until now.

Nearly 140 years after his death, a University of Cambridge researcher has found strong evidence that one of Darwin's hypotheses is true. That hypothesis states that a species belonging to a larger genus should also include more subspecies.

The graduate student, Laura van Holstein, was able to prove this using a tool Darwin didn't have: Data modeling.

"I've just reported evidence in favor of a hunch of good old Darwin's," van Holstein, a biological anthropology PhD student at Cambridge and study lead author, told CNN. "I think this has big implications for evolutionary biology."

Darwin's subspecies theory

To understand the significance of this development, it's best to start with a refresher on the following taxonomy (or naming conventions): genus, species and subspecies.

Darwin predicted that species in a larger genus should also include more subspecies. But he never elaborated on why.

The evolutionary scientists who followed Darwin suggested that a subspecies represents an early stage of species formation. But that was difficult to prove. After all, evolution takes time.

She used a tool Darwin never did

Van Holstein, however, had what those scientists didn't: Data modeling software.

She wanted to show that the number of subspecies in a species is correlated to the number of species in a genus. If she could prove that, she'd have more evidence to suggest that subspecies are the "raw material" for a new species, she said.

She ran a few of the models: First, she devised a model using taxonomical information about different species to show that a genus with more species also has more subspecies to prove a relationship.

Then, she took it a step further than Darwin: She created models to show the relationship between species richness (the number of species in a genus) and subspecies richness is stronger in mammals that don't live on land -- namely bats and whales.

One more model found that the number of subspecies in a genus is predicted by the size of a species' range -- and in land mammals, a bigger range was linked to a higher number of subspecies in a genus.

Her findings show subspecies are early versions of species

Not only did van Holstein prove one of Darwin's points, but she expanded on his findings: The more species in a genus typically means more subspecies are in that genus, and the relationship between species and subspecies depends on whether the species live on land.

In species that live on land, environmental barriers impact how its species form. But in species that live in the air or the ocean, species formation depends more on population dynamics, she said.

"This is a different way of thinking about subspecies -- the (previously!) unglamorous units of evolutionary biology," she said. "Some people have made the case that they are merely nice but evolutionarily meaningless groupings, but we show here that they probably can be thought of as incipient species."

Next, van Holstein plans to use the same modeling to predict how quickly species form in both endangered species and species of least concern, findings that could be used to predict which biological factors predispose certain species to becoming endangered -- something even Darwin never did.

Read the original:

A PhD student proved one of Darwin's theories of evolution 140 years after his death - CNN

Back in January in Dallas, Discovery Institute organized its major conference on science and faith, before a huge and appreciative audience. We are releasing videos of presentations from the Dallas conference, including today, John West, Associate Director of the Center for Science & Culture, on Darwins Corrosive Idea.

This is well timed. I cant help but think that how we respond to the present health crisis has a lot to do with how we, as individuals, saw reality before we gave a moments thought to the coronavirus. As Dr. West summarizes here, Ideas really do have consequence.

In the case of Darwins idea of unguided evolution and of a planet of life formed from blind, merciless material processes alone, West notes a range of consequences and impacts, on how we see the sanctity of human, how we understand morality and spirituality, and much more. One observation caught my attention: an interview with Sir David Attenborough, in 2013, in which the famed evolutionist called humans a plague on the Earth.

According to Attenborough, in the past, natural selection kept humans in check by killing them off. But modern society undermines natural selection by saving the sick and finding ways to feed more and more people.

In remarkable contrast to that is a perspective that recognizes design in the cosmos. As biologist Michael Denton has put it, The human form is something significant in the cosmic order, and that is a scientific finding.

We are releasing videos from the Dallas Conference on Science & Faith each Wednesday here at Evolution News. Check back next week and see Douglas Axe on Undeniable: How Biology Confirms Design.

See the original post:

Are Humans A Plague on the Earth? - Discovery Institute

The evolution of technology across the globe is getting better and greater every day. In the financial industry, there are various innovations developed to make human life easier, efficient and enjoyable at all times. With Coronavirus pandemic, cashless innovation has proven a reliable system, a technology that fits the era and offers convenience towards the user, financial institutions and businesses bearing in mind the need to observe social distancing and reduced movements. Regardless, almost everything in the financial sector will soon be digital.

Cashless payment system/solutions replaced the physical currency in a number of ways to enhance the transfer of cash from one account to the other. Each system has unique features, mechanisms, and qualities that work together with different types of devices. Most online payment systems have become increasingly popular owing to their convenience. E-money, for instance, uses QR code that can be scanned to facilitate transactions.

As a technology evolution, the cashless payment system has led to the introduction of cashless payment apps. The evolution was further indicated by the availability of digital wallet, a system that can be used to complete transactions through a computer or a smartphone. This type is linked to a users bank account to complete real payments.

With the cashless system, you can check your bank balance, create a budget and then pay the bill from the comfort of your mobile devices. Currently, many scientists still make an effort to enhance technology evolution as it is the future of the world when it comes to matters finances. The beauty of the cashless payment system is that it is simple, efficient and safe.

In addition, the cashless payment method is efficient. Every individual with an internet connection and a smart device or a laptop can make the most of the technology. Today, you do not have to go to the ATM or the bank to make a transaction. You can use the most efficient app such as the peer to peer payment app to complete a transaction or to receive money. This means carrying out a financial transaction can happen anywhere and wherever you without worrying over time and place restrictions.

When it comes to safety, the cashless banking payment system is safer compared to the conventional approach. It reduces the risk of crimes including cases of bribery that is quite common with physical money transactions. Whats more, it offers a lot of offerings based on what you can really get such as discount and much more for clients to enjoy.

The cashless payment system is more reliable when accessing your money spending detail. All cashless payment apps are designed with an efficient and highly functional system that keeps a record of all youre spending. As such, you can just click on the system to get a spending history of the stated period. Undoubtedly, the technology evolution is quite useful to humans and with more innovations coming, such a technology will be enhanced.

With such benefits, there are also factors that augment the rise and rise of the cashless payment system across the globe. This includes;

While digitalization is a trend that is growing bigger in the financial industry, the growth of mobile wallet apps is augmenting its steady rise to the fullest. The mobile market is growing tremendously and mobile digital payments overrun traditional methods. Most mobile apps are designed to ensure enhanced security for all mobile app wallets hence, transforming the way clients handle banking transactions.

With a secure mobile or digital wallet, you can process payments easily, access the needed account information, pay for different services via an app on your smartphone and speed up the whole process. The whole concept of mobile app wallets is to ensure ease of use because you only need to download it on your phone, get an account and keep transacting.

QR code technology is also a proof of technology evolution that is taking the world by storm. This is a generated QR code and follows a subsequent reading enabling you to make transactions, receive or accept payments. You can also pay or issue invoices as you exchange the needed information in seconds. QR technology is a powerful and engaging mechanism that you can easily integrate it into your mobile wallet and receive all the benefits that come with this payment system.

Clearly, the cashless payment system is being embraced across the globe. A point to note is that the digital payment system varies from one region to the other. For instance in Europe- it is the smartphone that pays with a mobile banking system penetrating across different European nations. This is attributed to the convenience and speed that come with mobile payments and advanced mobile app developments. Europe is also an interplay between Fintech and banking players while giving a leg to QR code payments.

In Peru and Mexico, it is the QR code payment system that tends to be quite popular across banking applications. Latin America also embraces QR code payment system.

Asia has set the pace for cashless payment innovation. Notably, China has taken a huge leap in regards to digital payment technologies. It is revolutionising the way payments are made with the introduction of Alipay (Alibaba) and WeChat Pay (Tencet) among other reception players. Asia is making the most of smartphone super apps to bring together different industries including businesses and online payment systems close to clients across different parts of the globe.

Furthermore, Asia, specifically China is highly committed to making solid biometric recognition payments. Alipay is an industry leader allowing for facial recognition payments in fast food establishments and restaurants. Such, are an amazing trend, proof of technology that cashless payment system will be the real deal in the coming years globally.

In Africa, the SMS payment system is quite popular despite the fact that it is one of the most unbanked regions across the globe. Today, over 21 per cent of the regions population embrace digital payment solutions. M-Pesa is widely embraced as a mobile money solution in the region connecting millions of users who simply transact with an SMS and password. QR code payment was also launched in Africa in August 2017 to enhance virtual wallet payments.

Continue reading here:

Cashless Payment System, the Proof of Technology Evolution - Customer Think

Image Source: Texas Wesleyan University

Texas Wesleyan Universitys recent announcement establishing a new Bachelor of Science in Sports Communication degree illustrates the on-going evolution of esports in academia. To help illustrate and clarify the thinking behind this evolution, Inven Global's Don Marinelli reached out to Eugene Frier, Director of Esports and Gaming at Texas Wesleyan University.

Was the decision to establish this degree the result of leadership vision or was it more of a grassroots initiative, one coming from the students, or both?

Honestly, it benefited directly from some fortuitous timing. Our faculty had been hard at work on a new sports communication degree grounded in theory and pedagogy just like all other degrees on our campus. At the same time, our esports program started shifting our focus towards getting our program members (players, student staff, content creators, volunteers, etc.) as career ready as possible.

The natural evolution for that was getting academic classes to deliver this to students. When I approached our faculty about this idea, they loved it as it both fit with what they were working on. but was also innovative and fresh.

What special skills are required of potential faculty in this program?

No special skills are required of potential faculty in this program, since the classes are from existing classes. Only one class is a new classSports Communication & Branding.

How would you differentiate this new degree from a more traditional degree in, say, sports management?

There will be some natural overlap in this when you look at some of the major focused classes that students in this program will take, but the advisory board for this degree did a very smart move and included some key esports industry professionals in its membership.

In addition to people working in professional sports, they have representation from the Dallas Morning News, Ronald McDonald House, and some professional sports teams working alongside the Director of Esports for Mavs Gaming, Director of Strategic Partnerships for Twitch, and President of the Esports Stadium in Arlington.

With a cross-section of experience like that, students pursuing this degree have ample opportunity to learn from not only sports communication professionals, but people deeply rooted in the professional esports scene as well via their class assignments as well as hands-on learning.

Do you see students in this program as being active esports athletes as well, members of Texas Wesleyans esports teams?

It is hard to say at this point, but I honestly believe it will be a good mix. Something that really excites me about this program is that it can serve as a direct goal for a student who has a high passion for esports and gaming, a desire to work in the field, but who doesnt play esports titles competitively.

During my experience recruiting, I have met a lot of prospective students that were passionate about esports and gaming with a great work ethic, high level of responsibility and many of the intangibles that I would look for in an employee, but who do not play the titles we have or play games competitively. This degree provides opportunities for students in that group, in addition to students hoping to be collegiate esports athletes.

What kinds of employment opportunities do you envision for graduates with this new degree?

The hope for graduates of this degree is that they will be able to focus on an area of interest while also getting a varied enough experience to step into new roles in the future. Whether the student wants to be on the mic as a reporter, public relations specialist, or broadcaster/shoutcaster, or if they want to work behind the scenes as a producer, editor, or in marketing, there will be opportunities to learn, connect, and grow through a variety of aspects of esports communication.

If students with this degree desired additional education, what do you see as appropriate graduate degree programs?

The feeling of the faculty is that students who want to move beyond this degree might want to look into existing MBA programs marketing-focused would seem a wise focus. There was also a recommendation about checking out Hubspots Certificate Programs associated with marketing.

Read more from the original source:

[INTERVIEW] Texas Wesleyan University Embodies the Evolution in Esports Education - InvenGlobal

Self-employed for more than twenty years, Kimberly Megoran knows a thing or two about resiliency. And she has more than a story or two to tell about it.

The move to self-employment was inspired by travel to some extent. She was working at a local printing company in early 2000 when a two-week trip to the famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally came up.

Time off was an issue, however.

So, Megoran and her employer parted ways. Its now been two decades and she hasnt looked back.

Artwork by Megoran and Love Street Live.

One thing has always led to another with her career and Kimberlys experience is as colorful and dynamic as both her art and music both passions she funnels into her work with Love Street Live.

Love Street Live brings together a harmony and inspiration of live painting, music and expression.

Just as interesting as her art however, is the path that got her there.

Previously, she ran her own media company for more than a decade, specializing in advertising and marketing for local businesses, radio ads, live interviews and more.

Megoran was later instrumental in both the Mountain Rock and Mountain Country Music Festivals in Farwell, Michigan before they shuttered in 2008 due to economic conditions.

She also had a live performance business, as both a singer and songwriter, often playing shows three to four nights a week.

What saved me during setbacks was my art she says. After the festivals shut down, I was both broke and heartbroken. I took my heartbreak and put that energy into art.

So, with that, Megoran took to her backyard.

Megoran performing live.

There was a piece of cement that was probably 10 feet by 30 feet and I knew I could do something with it, she says. It took months, but I painted a multi-dimensional display of rocks. It was so therapeutic during that time and at some point, you get into the mindset of thinking how can I get myself through this?.

After a few months, she took advantage of the economic climate at the time, picking up one of the stores that bought back gold and other jewelry in Saginaw as a marketing client. Megoran eventually learned enough about the business that she became a gold buyer, often hosting gatherings of women who wanted to make the most of old jewelry at the time.

After a chance meeting where she happened to have her guitar with her, Megoran met some diamond and gemstone industry connections.

We had this impromptu jam session, and next thing I know, they asked me if I wanted to work with them, she says. The diamond and gemstone markets are really interesting, for the little stint I got to know of it.

Thats right. Gold buying and guitar playing led a short stint with diamonds and gemstones, and Megoran went to Florida off and on for a time.

Megoran performing with Love Street Live.

That wasnt my passion however, so I eventually got back to my roots, she says.

Megoran was temporarily working at Art Van Furniture in Saginaw while also continuing to work on her art, and happened to cross paths with a customer who she noticed smelled wonderful. Ever curious about other people, Megoran asked what she did for a living and the woman replied she was a massage therapist.

That moment was like a light switch for her.

I just had one of those moments where I knew it was the right next move for me and that it blended well with the healing I get to see through both my music and art, she says. That happened on a Thursday. By the following Monday, I was enrolled in school Flint School of Therapeutic Massage.

The time off and the change in direction allowed Megoran to play several leading shows at the Caseville Cheeseburger Festival while also going to school to pursue her massage therapy certification.

That was over six years ago. Now, Megoran says that massage and the healing arts is something that fits right into her passion for helping people. Her massage business is Be Well Studio.

Healing and helping others has always been an internal calling and there are so many avenues to get there, whether that is through art, music, or therapeutic massage, she says. They all have helped to teach me in one way or another that this world is in need of so much healing.

Megoran working with children as a part of Love Street Live.

I work with many clients, from children to the elderly and there are so many ways we can work on self-healing, Megoran says. Everything from working on our health, to speaking kind words, listening and caring about others, to creative expression, to eating healthy foods. Its all a part of what I do to some extent and most of all I just love helping people.

From an artistic perspective, Megoran is careful to stress one thing.

There are no rules with creative expression. That is something that is very important to me in teaching and helping others find their creative spark, she says. Its not about the outcome. Its the process that is the most important.

Love Street Live exists to capture that process through the combination of creating music and art together. To get feeling, purpose and expression out of people.

Everyone is creative, even if they dont know it yet, she says.

Musical inspired artwork by Kimberly Megoran.

Megoran has broadened Love Street Live and her art to a few more places recently, partnering with the The Childrens Grief Center of the Great Lakes Bay Region on a new effort to help children deal with grief through music and art. She recently completed continuing education through the Childrens Grief Centers annual training for facilitators. The training involved communication techniques and active listening practices for working with young people dealing with grief.

I have an affinity for children in need, as I was an adopted child myself, says Megoran. We learned so much about listening with an open heart. Just by listening, so much progress can be made and we are also helping children cope through connection, music and art.

Megoran dabbles in a little bit of everything, so rightly you can find her a few different places. Along with her work at the Childrens Grief Center, the local art scene, and her current schedule, you can catch her this summer at the Midland Center for the Arts Summer Art Fair, which will be the 20th year Megoran has played at the event.

You can follow Kimberly Megoran at Love Street Live on Facebook, Be Well Studio as well as her website at http://www.kimberlymegoran.com/.

See more here:

Thoughts on healing: The work and evolution of artist Kimberly Megoran - Concentrate

X-Men: Evolution is my favorite adaptation of the X-Men franchise. It just edges out the 90s X-Men animated series because it was able to get better as it went on, without a final season of poor animation and drastic voice acting changes. X-Men: Evolution was able to perfectly blend the teen drama of the characters going through high school with clever uses of their mutant abilities.

I wish so much that the show had gotten that fifth season to do the Dark Phoenix Saga, because it set that up masterfully. However, there were some weird episodes. and one of the weirdest was Walk on the Wild Side from season two.

Walk on the Wild Side, written by Cydne Clark and Steve Granat, starts off with Jean Grey trying to teach Amara (Magma) how to use her powers in dangerous situations. Then, Scott ends up swooping in during training to save them, and Jean has to tell him off. This is the setup to Jean, Amara, Tabatha (Boom Boom), Rogue, and Kitty (Shadowcat) all having a massive girl power moment later on and forming a vigilante girl gang called the Bayville Sirens. (Its always sirens, isnt it?) Eventually, they stop doing it, just because vigilantes are bad, whichconsidering they are already vigilantes anywayis weird.

I remember watching this episode as it aired, and as a child, it was one of my favoritesthe women of the X-Men teaming up together to wear leather outfits and be vigilantes at night, walking dramatically down the hallway like TheCraft, and lets not forget that weird music video interlude. However, I recently rewatched it on Disney+ with a slight cringe, because while the episode has great intentions, it reads as Straw Feminism 101/Girl Power Feminism.

The first issue is the premise. If you look at the episode description on IMDB, it says: The female X-Men are fed up with playing second fiddle, and form a vigilante crime-fighting group called the Bayville Sirensexcept the female X-Men in this show did not play second fiddle to the guys. In fact, this is one of the series that I felt really understood their powers.

Jean is shown to have a lot of leadership qualities, and there are several episodes that highlight how powerful she is, an episode where Rogue gets completely overwhelmed by all the powers she has absorbed over time, and Kitty gets plenty of character growth. Storm, Mystique, Scarlet Witch, and minor X-Men like Boom Boom and Magma also get interesting story arcs over time and standalone episodes. X-Men: Evolution did justice to the women of this franchise.

Plus, Walk on the Wild Side has the messy overall message of showing how, even though they combined some of the most powerful women in the X-Men world, they still need men around to keep them from going too far. Scott gets to play the role of woke bae, keeping a careful eye on the ladies to keep them from accidentally allowing someone to get blown up.

Jean says, at the end, I guess we took the whole girl power thing a little too far, when all they did was stop petty crime and stop a crime boss.

It is the very 2000s girl power feminism: all style, but no real substance or message. Its disappointing because I do remember thinking it was cool as a kid, and it definitely helped make me gay, but its just filler, and you know what? I can live with that. Plus, for all the issues with it, Im glad it does show they dont need the help of their male counterparts in the end, and they end on their own terms with Professor X telling them to not be Charlies Angels.

All that needed to be changed was allowing them to be a female crime-fighting group without having the whole We dont need a big strong man to save us statement at the beginning. It would have been the same episode, but it would have held up much better. But thats just my thoughts.

I still stand by this music video sequence that makes no sense, though. It slaps.

Whats your favorite X-Men animated series: Evolution, the 90s series, or Wolverine & the X-Men?

(image: Warner Bros. Television)

Want more stories like this? Become a subscriber and support the site!

The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling.

Have a tip we should know? tips@themarysue.com

Read more here:

Girl Power X-Men: Evolution Episode Walk on the Wild Side Has Not Aged Well - The Mary Sue

When it comes to broadcast and Pay TV operations, video compression is essential in delivering content to audiences. However, as the demand for high-resolution video increases, the need to advance video compression techniques is becoming unavoidable. Its clear that innovation is the key to evolving compression methods and meeting demand but to truly understand and influence the future of codecs, its vital to look at their origins and the existing requirements for video compression within the broadcast industry.

Existing codecs

There are currently two mainstream codecs, MPEG-2, the historic codec used for SD and initially the first digital deployment, and H.264, otherwise known as Advanced Video Coding (AVC) which was established for the transition to HD. These standards-based codecs have proved to be the two most successful so far and were both primarily formulated for the broadcast market. ITU standards like AVC were designed with TV in mind and have subsequently been extended to over-the-top (OTT). Therefore, neither lend themselves to use for streaming, instead, they could be the answer for converged services.

With the popularity of streaming overtaking traditional broadcast, the need for new video compression technology has become apparent, which has led to the emergence of new codecs. However, while broadcasters are bound to look to the future, its vital they dont forget about the widespread HD audience. As such, existing codecs shouldnt receive less attention, as theyre still essential to the delivery of this content. Rather, learnings must be taken from these developments to improve older existing codecs to ensure broadcasters are able to meet the needs of most audiences who are still watching standard HD television.

Next generation codecs

High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) was originally seen as the ITU successor of AVC, however, its pace has been slowing down owing to limited 4K penetration and royalty issues. Compared to AVC, HEVC delivers high-quality 4K video that is at least 50% smaller than before. A different option has emerged in the form of AV1, which is a royalty-free OTT-centric alternative to HEVC, supported by giant tech groups including FAANG through the Alliance for Open Media. AV1 has been designed primarily with OTT, and therefore progressive scan, in mind. Consequently, it is the optimised choice for this type of service.

Whether a broadcaster or Pay TV operator uses AV1 or HEVC is very dependent on their needs and existing infrastructure as there are similarities between the two. Currently, AV1 is seen as the codec of choice for streaming media distribution and is supported by the likes of Amazon, Google and Netflix.

Shaking up the market

As the broadcast industry develops new standards to handle new resolutions and more sophisticated content types, codecs are set to change even further to support the rise of OTT consumption and the resulting advancements in technology. One of the codecs currently in development is Versatile Video Coding (VVC) which the JVET expects to be finalised this year. VVC capabilities are expected to support immersive content, resolutions from 4K to 16K and 360 degree videos. Meanwhile, Essential Video Coding (EVC) has been fast-tracked by MPEG to provide a licensing-friendly standardised video coding solution to address business needs, such as video streaming.

Beyond the usual commitment of reducing the bitrate by 30-50% compared to previous standards (in this case HEVC), its too early to ascertain the exact benefits and advantages VVC and EVC could offer. Regardless, these new codecs are likely to shake up the market in 2020 and beyond, and bring with them a degree of complexity, particularly as each of them are due to be set in stone over the course of the next year. As a result, it may take until next year or even 2022 before its possible to determine whether they will find their market.

The next decade and beyond

Over the next decade, its likely H.264, HEVC and AV1 will be among the most popular codecs in use. Given each codec has different properties and that every broadcaster or Pay TV operator has different infrastructure and legacy systems, its unlikely there will be a clear winner in the codec domain. Instead, there will be several dominant players per niche. Due to the infancy of the standard, its core technology DNA and its supporters, AV1 will perhaps cement its position as the codec of choice for streaming media distribution.

Improving the landscape of codecs both old and new hinges on the learnings and technological innovations taken from ongoing advancement works. So, whether viewers are watching video content in 8K or HD, every audience will benefit from continual enhancements; future-proofing the viewing experience and ensuring that no consumer group gets left behind.

More:

The evolution of video codecs - Videonet

Personal interaction and client entertainment are traditions within any industry, and thats always been especially true of TV advertising. But,given the industrys massive, tectonic changes of recent years, is there still room for the process of large, extravagantly staged annual gatherings?

The coronavirus scourge already has disrupted the annual spring-season process of transacting major television advertising deals. All networks and other participants of course have canceled their in-person upfront presentations to advertisers, many programmers opting for virtual upfronts.

Combine the virus with the acceleration of cord-cutting, and the TV ad industry has some strong headwinds, to put it mildly. By contrast, the fast-growing digital ecosystem is already transacted on a real-time audience and impression basis. The coronavirus, in a perverse way, may hasten a re-thinking of the upfronts, at least as currently configured.

Could this crisis trigger a broader, lasting, even profound, change in the way TV advertising is transacted? Could it be the catalyst to accelerate the value of TV, by enabling the process of transacting TV advertising to catch up with the growth of digital advertising? Could this actually help offset any TV advertising losses in the short term?

In other words, some might see the upfronts, like the three-martini lunch, as an antiquated relic long since bypassed by the reality of lightning-speed digital transactions based at least as much on data as content and relationships.

Not to worry. Relationships and personal interaction will always matter in the TV advertising business. But in this data-driven world, clients will need their agency and media partners to be ready with metrics that support the relationship.

Ultimately, marketers will not care where their agency and media-buying partners find audiences for them, so long as it is on any piece of glass andto the extent possible as budgets permitin an impactful, TV brand-friendly environment.

Possibly the advanced TV consortium OpenAP offers an example of a roadmap. Partners including ViacomCBS, NBC Universal, Fox and Univision are collaborating on an audience-based buying platform enabling advertisers to leverage first-party data or defined audience segments to buy quickly across the companies properties and platformslinear TV, connected TV (CTV), set-top box, mobile or desktop.

There have been other efforts. Canoe (video-on-demand ad platform), Project OAR (addressable-ad platform), Simulmedia (TV ad management platform) and the cloud-based product QTTTM (bridging digital programmatic platforms with linear TV ad inventory in real time). None of these require the traditional TV upfronts.

Whether we like it or not, the process of selling video advertising has to evolveand we, as sellers, will be forced to innovate in order to participate inor be left behind bythat evolution.

The coronavirus is indeed frightening, and we all should take this time to care for our loved ones. And, as with so many medical crises throughout our history, we will get through the coronavirus chapter stronger, wiser, readier and healthier.We will survive coronavirus.The upfronts, and certain other aspects of legacy-thinking within the TV-advertising ecosystem, may not. And that may actually be ...healthy.

See more here:

Opinion: How will the pandemic accelerate the evolution of the TV ad market? - AdAge.com