Experts Have Found The Key To Happiness | WOMX – RADIO.COM

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Have you ever had the urge to blow off absolutely everyone and everythingbecause youwant to drink an entire bottle of wine while you eat Cheez-Its and binge watch Netflix? Yeah, me too! Well, maybe we should!

According to a new study out of the University of Zurich in Switzerland, the key to being really happy is sometimes just saying "Forgetit" and giving in to your impulse to do something fun without thinking about the consequences.

The researchers say, "Of course self-control is important, but research on self-regulation should pay just as much attention to hedonism, or short-term pleasure." They found that you need to be able to mentally put aside your responsibilities, your hang-ups, and even your long-term goals once in a while in order to just relax and enjoy your life.

The story on Study Finds says that people who can do that have a better sense of well-being and they're less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

Cant get enough of the Mix? Ask Alexa to Play Mix 105.1 to listen to all your favorites from Y2K and today andJay and Danas Morning Mix!

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Experts Have Found The Key To Happiness | WOMX - RADIO.COM

Netflix, Amazon, Stan, Foxtel, Binge and more: Everything new to streaming in August | Australia – NEWS.com.au

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What a difference a month makes.

Many of us thought wed be spending less time at home by now and then, bam, life hits you square in the jaw.

So, lets make the best of it. Heres what new to the streaming services in August, including some cracking films and intriguing series.

Lovecraft Country (Foxtel Now /Binge*, August 9): Based on Matt Ruffs 2016 novel, Lovecraft Country follows a black familys journey through 1950s segregation-era southern US to find their missing father. But theyre stalked not just by the literal Lovecraftian monsters but the equally damning horrors of racist hate.

Ted Lasso (Apple TV+, August 14): From Jason Sudeikis and Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence, this new show is a fish-out-of-water comedy about an American football coach hired to lead a professional soccer team in England. He, of course, has no idea what hes doing.

Little Birds S1 (Stan, August 5): Inspired by Anais Nins collection of erotic short stories, Little Birds balances political intrigue with hedonism and drama. Set in colonial Tangiers in 1955, it follows the story of debutante Lucy Savage (Juno Temple) who arrives on a boat, expecting to meet her husband. But its not the welcome she had imagined, thrusting her into the bowels of the exotic city, chancing upon experiences she never thought possible.

Binge is Australias new streaming service offering the best drama, entertainment and movies from the worlds best creators. New to Binge? Get your two-week free trial, sign up at binge.com.au

Ill Be Gone In The Dark (Foxtel Now/Binge, August 9): Comedian Patton Oswalts late wife Michelle McNamara left a formidable legacy when she unexpectedly died some years ago, which is the subject of this true crime doco. An internet sleuth, she had been obsessively investigating the Golden State Killer, trying to unearth the serial murderers identity.

Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story (Netflix, August 14): Moving on from Eric Banas manipulative and charismatic con-man, the second season of now anthology series Dirty John pivots to the true crime story of Betty Broderick, who is currently serving her sentence for killing her husband and his lover. Stars Amanda Peet, Christian Slater and Rachel Keller.

Cobra Kai S1-2 (Netflix, August 28): The well-reviewed Karate Kid sequel series, Cobra Kai, was one of those shows many people wanted to watch but maybe not enough to pay for a YouTube Premium (formerly YouTube Red) account. Now, YouTube said its getting out the scripted game, which means the first two seasons of Cobra Kai, and the upcoming third season, is moving to Netflix. It stars original cast members Ralph Macchio and William Zabka.

About Time (Foxtel Now, August 13): This delightful, under-appreciated romantic comedy is a fresh and winning entry in a beloved genre. It stars Rachel McAdams, Domhnall Gleeson and was written and directed by Richard Curtis. Theres a standard boy meets girl framework but the twist is the boy (Gleeson) comes from a family where the men can time travel. While that sounds like a gimmick, About Time makes it work like a charm, and sneaks in an emotional story about fatherhood too.

Brabham (Stan, August 7): Australian F1 driver Jack Brabham is a legend in the sport and remains to this day the only person to win a championship in a car he created. This doco looks into his life and legacy, and the effect his determination and drive had on his family, and features archival footage and exclusive interviews.

Battlestar Galactica S1-4 (Stan, August 14): While its political allegories are not as searingly relevant as it was when it first came out in the post-9/11 era, this reimagining of a cheesy space opera is still really smart storytelling. Centred on a group of human refugees in space after an apocalyptic event set off by artificial intelligent machines, its the intersection of human perseverance and the question of destiny.

Hungry Ghosts (SBS On Demand, August 24): Literal and emotional ghosts abound in SBSs Australian miniseries, which will stream (and be broadcast) over four nights. Set among the Vietnamese-Australian community, the past is dredged up in a haunted story about generational trauma. Stars Catherine Van-Davies, Bryan Brown and Gareth Yuen.

Portrait Of A Lady On Fire (Stan, August 22): A charged love story, writer and director Celine Sciammas drama is so far from a corsetted period piece. Rather, this intimate story of an 18th century painter and her reticent subject is alive with passion and beauty. You wont have seen anything quite like this before.

I Am Woman (Stan, August 28): Premiering at Toronto International Film Festival last year, this biopic of Australian singer Helen Reddy was supposed to have been released in cinemas, but is among the many movies that moved to streaming instead. It stars Tilda Cobham-Hervey as the feminist icon, charting her story as she moves to the US as a 24-year-old with a kid and $230.

Orphan Black S1-5 (Amazon Prime, August 1): Packed with conspiracies involving secret eugenics experiments, this gripping sci-fi series will keep you guessing all the way to the end. But the real draw is lead actor and chameleon Tatiana Maslany who played a dozen clones over the course of the series, all with their own distinct personalities and quirks. And shes never stronger than whens playing against herself in a scene what a marvel.

Knives Out (Amazon Prime, August 26): Intricately plotted and extremely compelling, Rian Johnsons cracking murder mystery involves the death of a family patriarch and a pool of suspects with motives. Its a fresh take on a classic whodunnit with an absolutely stacked cast including Toni Collette, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Daniel Craig, LaKeith Stanfield, Christopher Plummer, Don Johnson, Michael Shannon and Ana de Armas.

Worlds Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji (Amazon Prime, August 14): Spanning challenges across mountains, rivers, oceans and jungle thickets, Bear Grylls claims this adventure race is his most intense yet. The 10-episode docuseries features 66 teams from 30 countries race non-stop for 11 days in Fiji a real test of human endurance.

Short Term 12 (SBS On Demand, August 1): Just Mercy director Destin Daniel Cretton is currently riding out the pandemic in Sydney, waiting for production for Marvel movie Shang Chi to restart. But before you get to see that spectacle, familiarise yourself with Crettons well-received breakout film about a young woman working at a group home for troubled youths. It features Brie Larson in her first big role and was notable for casting a slate of young, then-little-known actors who would go on to be stars, including Rami Malek, LaKeith Stanfield and Kaitlyn Dever.

Cold War (SBS On Demand, August 2): Polish director Pawel Pawlikowskis (Ida) haunting, epic post-war love story is a seductive, beguiling dance between two lovers who meet in a Stalinist musical propaganda group, selling some wholesome folkloric version of national identity that doesnt exist. But political oppression doesnt make love simple, and this visually striking black-and-white film follows the lovers across countries and over decades. Heart-wrenching.

Burning (SBS On Demand, August 10): Perhaps Oscar winner Parasitewas your first foray into Korean cinema. Well, dont stop there. Lee Chang-dongs 2019 film Burning is a handsome, haunting masterpiece of trauma, an evocative slow-burn movie that conjures up a feeling of unease all the way through. Its the story of a poor, rural, aspiring writer in a love triangle with a former classmate and her rich, urban boyfriend.

The One And Only Ivan (Disney+, August 21): Adapted from a beloved childrens novel about a silverback gorilla and the baby elephant he takes care of in a Big Top troupe, its a CGI live action movie featuring the voices of Sam Rockwell, Brooklynn Prince, Danny DeVito, Phillipa Soo and Angelina Jolie, plus performances from Bryan Cranston and Ramon Rodriguez. Looks to be a tear-jerking family flick.

Ding Dong Im Gay (YouTube, now): Brash and unapologetic, this six-part short-format series is a fun and winning Australian production. Cameron is a gay man trying to be his best self in the city when his rural, nave, newly out cousin Toby arrives, all smiles and libido revving. When Toby has more luck bedding new paramours, it makes Cameron confront his own insecurities.

*Foxtel and Binge is majority owned by News Corp, the publisher of this website

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Netflix, Amazon, Stan, Foxtel, Binge and more: Everything new to streaming in August | Australia - NEWS.com.au

Multifaceted approach necessary to overcome domestic violence in Turkey | Daily Sabah – Daily Sabah

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Nothing can bring back the thousands of Turkish women ruthlessly killed by men and no amount of apologizing will put their families and loved ones minds at ease, but government action in conjunction with societal support may save the lives of thousands of others.

Turkey has actively been trying to address the thorny issue of gender-based violence by pursuing an equal and violence-free environment for all genders through laws, regulations, conventions and awareness campaigns, but it seems laws and enforcement alone may not be the only solution to the countrys bleeding wound as women from all ages and backgrounds are exposed to domestic violence on a nationwide basis. While there has been a significant decline in femicides in the past year, experts argue that the problem, which is directly linked to social dynamics, perception of gender and mindset, can only be solved through a multifaceted approach, including societal consciousness and education in addition to laws, regulations and enforcement.

The controversy surrounding neverending violence against women makes headlines on a regular basis, and the atrocious murder of university student Pnar Gltekin by her ex-boyfriend reignited the debate on femicides.

There was a 34% decline in the rate of femicides in Turkey in the first six months of 2020, according to the Interior Ministry. While 173 women were killed in femicides from January through June in 2019, this number dropped to 115 in the same period in 2020.

Our goal is to completely end domestic violence and violence against women, the ministry said in the statement in early July. It noted that one of the reasons behind the decline could be attributed to the 66% surge in preventive measures taken by law enforcement officers under the scope of Turkeys Law No. 6284 to protect families and prevent violence against women. The law was passed by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in 2012 as part of a comprehensive action plan to fight domestic violence and covers everything from the prevention of violence to the protection of victims. It aims to provide women a range of legal options and protection against domestic violence through expanded social service networks to monitor cases, anger management programs and family consultation services. Around 320,322 preventative measures were taken in the first six months of 2020, a whopping 66% increase compared with the previous year.

Some 111,062 law enforcement officers received training on countering domestic violence, and they have continued to receive lessons through distance learning during the pandemic.

Turkey also increased the number of police departments responsible for following domestic violence cases from 81 to 1,005.

The life-saving app Women Emergency Assistance Notification System (KADES) developed by Turkish police in 2018 has been downloaded by over 463,000 people, and 33,097 emergency calls have been made through the app, according to official figures.

Sadly, domestic violence is not unique to Turkey or a particular class but affects women and infests societies throughout the world and costs governments billions of dollars besides the irreparable psycho-social costs. For instance, one in four women in Europe experience domestic violence at some point in their life, according to the Council of Europe, and the numbers are the same in the United States, according to statistics. However, figures on domestic violence are not always 100% accurate because the issue is so personal and private that it is often hidden at home, experts say.

Domestic violence is not specific to Turkey or a societal class; it is a serious problem in the worlds most developed and underdeveloped countries, Fatmanur Altun, a sociologist and the chairwoman of the Turkish Youth and Education Service Foundation (TRGEV), told Daily Sabah.

Noting that the main problem behind domestic violence lies deep within society, Altun said it is mostly caused by factors leading to societal degradation. These factors include the lack of mercy, the spread of hedonism and the lack of recreational time to allow individuals to spiritually and materialistically enhance themselves; instead, people spend long hours commuting, sever their ties with nature and spend their free time either in front of the television or technological devices.

But as humans, we need to invest in things that can mentally and spiritually boost us because this is the only way we can enhance our compassion, Altun said, as she noted that domestic violence is only one of the reflections of the lost spiritual connection in society, which has had a substantial impact on almost all forms of relationships, including those with friends, parents, colleagues and neighbors. It is like everyone almost sees each other as a hurdle to be crossed, even though our culture prioritizes establishing good relations, she said.

On a different note, the dynamics of relations between men and women shape the results as the mutual love, compassion and faithfulness of partners are reflected on their family, children and society, Altun said, calling it an aura of compassion and love. However, when such relations are based on profit and exploitation, violence replaces this aura, and children brought up in such environments, unfortunately, fail to experience feelings of love and compassion and mirror violence they experience at home on others.

For Altun, discussing violence against women solely as it is, is not enough to determine its causes or find solutions.

Its like trying to comprehend the reason behind a decayed tree solely by looking at its broken branch. You need to take into consideration all aspects, including its roots, its water, climate conditions and if the people taking care of it did their job properly so you can solve the matter, Altun said, noting that a philosophical sense of effort needs to be made so that people and society can face each other, and there is no single solution.

We want immediate results, and we want to identify an enemy, but the issue is deeper than that, Altun said, adding that the issue is not just about women or families but a societal problem.

Derya Yank, a lawyer and board member of the Women and Democracy Association (KADEM), agrees that domestic violence cannot be eliminated through laws alone.

We need to raise societal awareness and fix the approach, Yank told Daily Sabah, adding that laws need to be supported by education and solid mental transformation.

Recent research shows slow progress in the societal perception about the issue of domestic violence, as more people recognize it as a major problem. For instance, according to a survey by Kadir Has University published in March, 66% of the male and female participants said they see violence as the main threat to women in Turkey, while this figure was 60% in the previous year. Likewise, 79% of participants said they see violence as a sufficient reason to file for divorce, also up from 74% in 2019. Only 4% of the participants saw violence as an option for men to maintain the order in the family, down from 14% in 2016. There has also been an increase in the contributions by fathers to take care of children, as 51% said the responsibility of taking care of children should be shared between partners on a regular basis, up from 42% in 2019. Some Turkish stay-at-home fathers have even made headlines and share their experience on popular social media outlets as they remind everyone that parenting is not limited to women and equality at home is the way to go. The number of female lawmakers in the Turkish Parliament has also increased in the past few decades, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat). For instance, the percentage of deputies was 9.1% in 2007, and this number increased to 17.3% in 2019 with 102 women out of 589 lawmakers.

Turkey has been carefully drafting legislation as it tries to fight the causes behind domestic violence, but transforming society and making them forget the mistakes is not as easy as making laws, Yank said.

Article 9 of Turkeys Constitution says men and women have equal rights, and the state is obliged to ensure this equality exists in practice and measures taken in this regard shall not be interpreted as contrary to the principle of equality. The paragraph on men and women was added in 2004, while the proceeding paragraphs were added in 2010 as part of the governments efforts to eliminate domestic violence.

Meanwhile, recent remarks on the Istanbul Convention have sparked a new debate, as one side defends the convention and argues that it eliminates domestic violence, while the other side argues that it is ineffective and aims to destroy the idea of gender by creating a third gender and promotes LGBT activism, which they claim contradicts the countrys morals and values. Turkey was the first country to ratify it, while some Eastern European states like Bulgaria and Slovakia refused to sign it.

Earlier in July, AK Party Deputy Chairman Numan Kurtulmu criticized the convention, saying that domestic violence would increase without the Istanbul Convention is nothing but a myth.

We need to evaluate these claims in a calm manner, Kurtulmu said, adding that almost all political parties expect a revision of the convention as some articles of the pact damage the concept of family in the country.

The Istanbul Convention is not a penal code. It provides a road map for signatory countries to establish the basic framework when dealing with domestic violence, Yank said, adding that these include making necessary legal reforms, providing financial support to victims of domestic violence and more. She noted that Turkey had already planned a similar road map before it signed the convention, as Turkish law outlines how victims of domestic violence need shelters and economic support.

However, the convention should not be seen as a magic wand to eliminate the deeply entrenched problem, according to Yank.

According to a report presented to President Recep Tayyip Erdoan at an executive party meeting, there has been a significant increase in the number of divorce cases, which jumped from 202,017 in 2014 to 248,640 in 2019. While some lawmakers claimed the Istanbul Convention has enabled women to defend themselves and file divorce cases, while others saw it as a negative development that shook the foundations of the family. While no official statement has been issued yet, the party is planning to discuss the matter in their upcoming central executive board meeting on Aug. 5. They aim to present a two-option road map and create a report on the effects of the Istanbul Convention on womens rights, as well as its compatibility with the Turkish family structure.

On a different note, recently on Thursday, Parliament listened to the testimony of a woman who was allegedly raped by Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) Mardin deputy Tuma elik, whose immunity was lifted shortly after the victim, identified as D.K., filed a criminal complaint. It was the first time a victim had the chance to directly express her concerns before the peoples representatives, making Parliament a new communication channel for victims of domestic violence.

The past few decades in Turkey have shown that progress is possible when corrective measures are embraced and enforced by the government. Although the country and others have yet to eliminate domestic violence and femicides, developments show there may be a light at the end of the tunnel for future generations.

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Multifaceted approach necessary to overcome domestic violence in Turkey | Daily Sabah - Daily Sabah

COMMENTARY || Tough-on-crime anti-drug moralizing does a disservice to Canadians – Folio – University of Alberta

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If the idea of decriminalizing possession of small amounts of illicit drugs once sounded radical, the coalition of people who now espouse the idea would certainly seem to be strange bedfellows.

On July 9, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police called on the federal government to decriminalize possession of small amounts of illicit drugs; B.C. Premier John Horgan asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to do the same in a July20 letter. Benjamin Perrin, the top criminal justice adviser in Stephen Harpers tough-on-crime administration, recentlywrote a bookin support of decriminalization, and major publications, including The Globe and Mail, have published editorials urging the same.

Despite this, there is still political hesitation on this issue, because decriminalizing even small quantities of hard drugs runs counter to decades of misinformation and partisan posturing.

However, there is one group we never hear from in this discussion: imprisoned drug users. So over the past four years, we spent extensive time working in and around prisons as researchers, asking questions and hearing stories about drug use. To date, our research team has interviewed more than 800 incarcerated men and women and more than 170 correctional officers as part of the University of Alberta Prison Project. Our participants work or are housed in sentenced and remand facilities in six federal and provincial prisons across Western Canada. Although they are a complex group for many reasons, prisoners perspectives on drug use provide important insights into wider discussion about decriminalizing hard drugs.

To start, we must recognize that Canadian prisons are full of men and women who are incarcerated because they use drugs. In interviews, our prisoner participants estimate that between 85 and 90 per cent of the people on their prison units have substance abuse issues that directly contributed to their incarceration. The continued criminalization of drugs ensures that an unending stream of men and women are incarcerated for drug possession and drug sales, and also influences a much wider group of prisoners who commit crimes to pay for their drugs or use violence as part of the illicit drug market.

While officials have long sought to keep illicit drugs out of prison, they remain prevalent. In prison, drug sales are lucrative and provide the financial lifeblood of prison gangs. When drugs are circulating in a unit, they contribute to volatility, violence and the exploitation of vulnerable inmates. This in-prison drug situation has become much more disturbing in recent years with the emergence of stronger and more lethal street drugs like fentanyl. As such opioids are illegal, prisoners who use them do so in a clandestine fashion, something that increases the risks of infection, diseaseand inadvertent overdoses. We have interviewed prisoners who have overdosed multiple times in a single week while incarcerated, and in some institutions, correctional officers describe being overwhelmed by constant emergency calls, where they work to resuscitate overdosing prisoners on the edge of death.

Tough-on-crime political rhetoric portrays hard drug use as a form of moral decay, associated with a lack of self-control. The prison situation we describe above is a direct result of this outlook, as such policies promote harsh prison sentences which are assumedwronglyto scare people away from drug use. However, our participants add a unique and crucial insight to the conversation. The great majority of our participants describe experiencing acute or recurrent trauma throughout their lives. Ninety-fiveper cent of all the men we interviewed in federal prisons and 97 per cent of all the women have been sexually or physically victimized before ever being charged with a crime. A disproportionate number have backgrounds defined by a string of traumatic events, such as suicides, lethal overdoses or the murder of a parent, child, partner or friend, or a major assault that leaves them with lifelong PTSD. For a disproportionate number of prisoners, using hard drugs is not a sign of rampant hedonism; it is a means to deal with the physical, emotionaland psychological legacies of abuse, victimizationand trauma.

These conversations shed new light on the benefits of drug decriminalization. Decriminalization would allow police to concentrate on more serious issues, by reallocating resources away from the Sisyphean task of preventing drug use. It would also halt the revolving door of incarcerated drug users and allow for greater investment in services designed to assist people who want to address their substance use. Most crucially, it would allow us to reframe Canadas drug problem, and understand it as a public health and public education problem, rather than a moral failing. Decades of experience have demonstrated that the criminal justice system cannot solve public health issues, and prisons are probably the worst imaginable option for addressing the social challenges posed by substance misuse.

The time is right to decriminalize the possession of personal amounts of drugs. Our research leads us to believe that such a change would result in a more logical and fair approach to substance useand, best yet, provide the prospect of improving the lives of thousands of Canadians.

William J. Schultz is a Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation and Vanier Canada doctoral scholar in the Faculty of Arts, as well as a former correctional officer. Sandra M. Bucerius is the director of the Centre for Criminological Research,associate professor of sociology and criminology in the Faculty of Artsanddirector of theUniversity of Alberta Prison Project. Kevin D. Haggerty is Canada Research Chair in Surveillance Ecologiesand professor of sociology and criminology in the Faculty of Arts.

This opinion-editorial originally appeared July 25in The Globe and Mail.

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COMMENTARY || Tough-on-crime anti-drug moralizing does a disservice to Canadians - Folio - University of Alberta

The Economy Is in Record Decline, but Not for the Tech Giants – The New York Times

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A day after lawmakers grilled the chief executives of the biggest tech companies about their size and power, Amazon, Apple, Alphabet and Facebook reported surprisingly healthy quarterly financial results, defying one of the worst economic downturns on record.

Even though the companies felt some sting from the spending slowdown, they demonstrated, as critics have argued, that they are operating on a different playing field from the rest of the economy.

Amazons sales were up 40 percent from a year ago and its profit doubled. Facebooks profit jumped 98 percent. Even though the pandemic shuttered many of its stores, Apple increased sales of all its products in every part of the world and posted $11.25 billion in profit. Advertising revenue dropped for Alphabet, the laggard of the bunch, but it still did better than Wall Street had expected.

The strong continue to get stronger, said Dan Ives, managing director of equity research at Wedbush Securities. As many companies are falling by the wayside, the tech stalwarts continue to gain muscle and power in this environment.

The tech companies financial performance was a remarkable contrast to the overall health of the U.S. economy. The Commerce Department said on Thursday that the countrys gross domestic product fell 9.5 percent in the second quarter of the year as consumers cut back spending. It was the steepest drop on record.

Combined, the companies reported $28.6 billion in quarterly net profit, underscoring how regulatory scrutiny remains more background noise and a distraction for them rather than an imminent threat to their businesses.

On Wednesday, a congressional antitrust panel questioned the companies leaders Jeff Bezos of Amazon, Tim Cook of Apple, Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook and Sundar Pichai of Alphabet about their market power and business practices.

It was part of a broader inquiry by regulators and lawmakers into the dominance of the tech giants, with open investigations from the Justice Department, the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general.

The spectacle of the chief executives of the four companies, worth nearly $5 trillion by market capitalization combined, appearing before a House subcommittee was historic. But antitrust investigations often take years, especially if regulators seek more drastic measures like breaking up companies.

The pandemic has reinforced the advantages held by the big tech companies. As consumers stay home, demand for Amazons shopping site surged, while companies are turning to its cloud computing products to keep their services up and running. Apple said the shift to working and learning from home had led more people to splurge on Apples devices and use its services.

Our products and services are very relevant to our customers lives, and in some cases, even more during the pandemic than ever before, Luca Maestri, Apples finance chief, said in an interview. He noted, however, that Apple could have made several billion dollars more if not for the pandemic.

Facebook and Google continue to be important to marketers and they are weathering the downturn in advertising better than rivals. Facebook shrugged off a spending slowdown, hailing record levels of engagement with its products.

Alphabet said revenue from Google search ads fell 10 percent pushing the companys overall revenue lower for the first time in the companys history but that still was better than rivals. Last week, Microsoft reported an 18 percent slide in search advertising revenue.

Since the beginning of March, the companies stock prices have risen by an average of 35 percent, compared with a 10 percent rise in the S.&P. 500.

Buoyed by a pandemic-induced surge in online shopping, Amazon had $88.9 billion in quarterly sales, up 40 percent from a year earlier. Profit doubled, to $5.2 billion, even though the company invested in expanding warehouses and other ways to increase capacity.

Simply put, Covid-19, in our view, has injected Amazon with a growth hormone, Tom Forte, an analyst at the investment bank D.A. Davidson & Company, wrote in a recent note to investors.

In April, Mr. Bezos told investors to expect no operating profit, and maybe even a loss, as the company planned to spend about $4 billion on coronavirus-related expenses like temporary pay increases, declines in warehouse efficiency because of social distancing, and $300 million for testing its work force for the virus.

But even those costs did not compare to the immense surge in demand, with online retail sales up 48 percent.

On a call with reporters, Amazon declined to say if it would give its warehouse workers virus-related bonuses or raises in the current quarter, but added that pandemic-related expenses would fall to $2 billion in the quarter.

Sales at Amazons lucrative cloud computing business, whose customers include major corporations and small start-ups, grew 29 percent, to $10.8 billion, falling short of analyst expectations, though it was more profitable than they had expected.

Facebooks revenue for the second quarter rose 11 percent from a year earlier to $18.7 billion, while profits jumped 98 percent to $5.2 billion. The results were well above analysts estimates of $17.3 billion in revenue with a profit of $3.9 billion, according to data provided by FactSet.

Despite increasing scrutiny from regulators, questions about its role in subverting elections and how people use the platform to spread misinformation, neither users nor advertisers have shown an inclination to stop using Facebook.

More than three billion people now regularly come to Facebook or one of its family of apps, as the services have overtaken much of the developed world. And some 2.47 billion people use one or more of Facebooks apps every day.

The company said its number of monthly active users rose 12 percent from a year ago and added that it was seeing record levels of engagement and usage this year because of shelter-in-place orders around the world.

In late June, a grass-roots campaign, Stop Hate for Profit, rallied many of the top advertisers on Facebook to reduce their spending because of issues with hate speech on the site.

Facebook cautioned investors on Thursday that fallout from the ad boycott was noticeable in July and warned that greater economic turmoil from the pandemic could eventually hurt Facebooks bottom line.

Despite the global economic slowdown, people kept buying Apple devices en masse and paid the tech giant billions of dollars more for apps and services on those gadgets.

Apple said its sales rose 11 percent to $59.7 billion and its profits increased 12 percent to $11.25 billion. Both figures handily beat analysts expectations, with Wall Street having forecast declines in both areas.

Sales were particularly strong for iPads and Mac computers, as the public was increasingly forced to work and socialize virtually. Revenue also surged in its internet-services business, which include Apples cut of sales from the App Store, the subject of antitrust investigations in the United States and Europe.

Even the iPhone, which remains the companys biggest seller, had a slight increase in sales for only the second time in the past seven quarters.

Apple also announced a stock split on Thursday that would quadruple its number of shares, allowing people to buy a share in the company for a quarter of the current stock price, which closed at $384.76 on Thursday.

Googles parent company, Alphabet, reported its first-ever decline in quarterly revenue, hurt by a slowdown in spending by advertisers. The company posted revenue of $38.3 billion and a profit of $6.96 billion significantly higher than what Wall Street analysts had predicted.

Ruth Porat, Alphabets chief financial officer, said advertising revenue gradually improved as the quarter went on. The decline came largely from lower sales of advertisements that run alongside Googles search results, but the companys efforts to diversify its business paid off as revenue from YouTube ads and its cloud computing business grew.

When asked in a call with financial analysts about the congressional hearing, Mr. Pichai said the company would have to learn to live with the investigations.

The scrutiny is going to be here for a while and were committed to working through it, he said.

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The Economy Is in Record Decline, but Not for the Tech Giants - The New York Times

The Atlantic Daily: Congress Wakes Up to the Danger of Tech Giants – The Atlantic

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Forty years ago, the government essentially stopped policing industry concentration, David Dayen, the executive editor of The American Prospect, argues. All Americans suffer from the wave of corporate consolidation that followed.

One question, answered: A reader refused to take their grandmother to the salon, citing health concerns. Now that grandmother is angry, the reader tells us:

Yesterday, she called me mean for refusing to take her. As a first-time caretaker, Im really struggling with this. How should I strike a balance between her quality of life and her safety?

James Hamblin offers some advice in his latest Paging Dr. Hamblin column:

A common tendency in these situations is wanting to swoop in and do everything in our power to keep a person physically healthy and, well, alive for as long as possible. But in the process we run the risk of denying agency to elders. Just because people arent able to drive, cook, or care for themselves in certain ways doesnt mean they should lose autonomy in other ways, such as making decisions for themselves.

Read the rest here. Every Wednesday, Jim takes questions from readers about health-related curiosities, concerns, and obsessions. Hes also answered:

Have one? Email Jim at paging.dr.hamblin@theatlantic.com.

What to read if youre secretly missing crowds:

Walt Disney World reopened in Florida, despite the states surge in coronavirus cases. Our staff writer Graeme Wood spent a weekend riding rides, waving at princesses, and contemplating his mortality.

What to read if you want practical tips:

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Americas Monopoly Problem Goes Way Beyond the Tech Giants – The Atlantic

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Lawmakers and the public should be concerned about the surveillance networks by which Facebook and Googlewhich dominate the digital-advertising markettrack users, build data profiles on them, and serve them customized ads. But millions of rural Americans cannot access the internet to begin with, in part because telecom companies harass, fight, and induce state legislatures to pass laws restricting municipal broadband. Across America, people send their kids to Starbucks parking lots to piggyback on the wifi and complete their homework.

Amazons rapidly expanding e-commerce empireand the potential consequences for Main Streets and municipal tax bases across the countryis definitely worth worrying about. But among the other forces squeezing out small retailers are dollar stores, a market segment dominated by two firms that together have about six times more outlets in America than Walmart. Last summer in Marlinton, West Virginia, I saw a Dollar General right next door to a Family Dollar. Despite the pandemic, Dollar General still plans to open 1,000 new stores in 2020.

Read: Family Dollar is actually worth 8.5 billion dollars

Software developers who want to sell apps to iPhone users must do so through Apples App Store, which spells out rules that they must follow and collects up to 30 percent of sales. This is little different from the situation of small farmers, who must raise livestock to the exacting specifications of the meatpacking giants and can lose their livelihoods on those companies whims. And just as Amazon sometimes undercuts the smaller third-party sellers that use its platform, Big Agriculture competes directly with smaller suppliers; the top four hog firms, which control around two-thirds of the market, typically own farms, slaughterhouses, warehouses, and distribution trucks, every step from the pig trough to the dinner table.

Whether you are shopping for pacemakers, sanitary napkins, or wholesale office supplies, you will find very few sellers. You think you have choices in grocery aisles or at car-rental counters, but the majority of consumer products come from a handful of companies. Competition is hardly stiff when even many store brands are just renamed versions of market-leading products; at Costco, the batteries come from Duracell and the coffee from Starbucks.

To focus the discussion of monopoly on the tech sector is to minimize the scope of a problem long in the making. Forty years ago, the government essentially stopped policing industry concentration. The conservative legal theorist Robert Borklater a failed Supreme Court nomineeand his allies in the law-and-economics movement argued that any merger making businesses more efficient must be approved, and that a larger scale generally increases efficiency. Borks analysis gained enormous power in the courts and the Reagan administration. The lawyers and the bankers who handled mergers and acquisitions loved it.

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Americas Monopoly Problem Goes Way Beyond the Tech Giants - The Atlantic

Hashtag Trending Antitrust probe of tech giants commences; North discontinues smart glasses; new workplace trends during the pandemic – IT World…

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Major tech companies appear before the U.S. Congress in a monumental antitrust hearing, Ontario based smart glasses company discontinues product after Googles acquisition, and the shifting workplace due to the coronavirus.

Its all the tech news thats popular right now. Welcome to Hashtag Trending! Its Thursday, July 30, and Im your host, Baneet Braich.

Congress started a major antitrust hearing yesterday with Facebook, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google to determine whether they have abused their power in the online marketplace. All four are appearing among one another online due to COVID-19. In their opening remarks, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Google CEO Sundar Pichai discussed their immigrant backgrounds. Bezos told the story of his adopted father, who immigrated from Cuba. Pichai discussed India. Congress is expected to grill the tech giants with specific questions and evidence. The eyes are mainly on Bezos- the worlds richest man had never before testified in front of congress.

Ontario-based tech company North, which was acquired by Google last month, says that its smart glasses will no longer work after Friday. Moreover, North says its first generation of smart glasses will be discontinued. The company also says it has cancelled any plans to ship its second-generation Focals 2.0. Google did not respond to CTVNewss request for comment at the time of publishing. All to say in a few days the smart element of the glasses will be unusable. North will issue refunds.

The consequences of the coronavirus have led to significant changes in the workforce. The shift may significantly alter wages, career paths and how companies operate in the coming years, according to The New York Times. On one hand, there is more flexibility and higher disposable income. However, these fast changes may also mean a disaster for low-skilled labour, lowering wages and job security. Highly skilled workers may also not have the easiest time to band together over issues of pay and working conditions, says the Times.

Thats all the tech news thats trending right now. Hashtag Trending is a part of the ITWC Podcast network. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home daily briefing.Im Baneet Braich, thanks for listening.

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Hashtag Trending Antitrust probe of tech giants commences; North discontinues smart glasses; new workplace trends during the pandemic - IT World...

Tech Giants ‘Killing Free Expression’, Block Trump Jr. and Hide Reports About Effective Treatment for COVID – Faithwire

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By Andrea Morris

Social media giants Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook are banning or hiding posts about treatments for the coronavirus and the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine.

Despite a recent major study and a new report from a Yale epidemiological expert that verifies the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), the mainstream news media and tech giants are censoring the message. It seems HCQ has become a politically incorrect drug simply because President Trump once referred to it as a possible treatment for COVID-19.

Now Donald Trump Jr. has been notified that his access to Twitter is being restricted after he shared video pertaining to COVID-19 and medical interventions,CNBCreports.

The presidents son was advised that his actions had violated the social media platforms policy and that he was spreading misleading and potentially harmful information related to COVID-19.

BREAKING: @Twitter & @jack have suspended @DonaldJTrumpJr for posting a viral video of medical doctors talking about Hydroxychloroquine.

Big Tech is the biggest threat to free expression in America today & they're continuing to engage in open election interference full stop. pic.twitter.com/7dJbauq43O

Andy Surabian, a spokesman for Trump Jr. said, Twitter suspending Don Jr. for sharing a viral video of medical professionals discussing their views on Hydroxychloroquine is further proof that Big Tech is intent on killing free expression online and is another instance of them committing election interference to stifle Republican voices.

CBN Newsattempted to access a YouTube video with doctors talking about coronavirus medications and treatments, but the video had been removed for violating community standards.

Thevideothat is causing the controversy stems from a group of physicians calling themselves American Frontline Doctors who are speaking to the public in an effort to reduce fears over the coronavirus pandemic.

The doctors are attending a White Coat Summit this week which aims toclarify the misinformationAmericans are receiving from sources that lack awareness on key topics pertaining to the virus.

The physicians are determined to shine a light on some of the false claims and fears that are being spread about COVID-19.

Dr. Erickson spoke atthe eventon Monday and told the audience that, 99.8 percent of people get through this with little to no progressive or significant disease.

Physicians withAmerican Frontline Doctorsargue that there are treatments available for people who test positive for the virus, yet these resources are not being utilized.

This is the first time, historically, that weve told patients with a disease to go home in isolateits never happened before, one physician said. Its almost insanity. Were letting patients perish unnecessarily.

Several doctors who attended Mondays event saidsome of the deathsrelated to the coronavirus could have been prevented.

One female physician contends there is a medical cure for COVID-19 and another said that hydroxychloroquines use is being blocked because of politics and that the medication should be available over-the-counter.

The White Coat Summit was slated to broadcast on Facebook, but that link has also been removed.

Additional medical experts are reporting on the success that patients are having with hydroxychloroquine.

CBN Newsrecently reported that Dr. Harvey Risch with the Yale University Public School of Health said hydroxychloroquine, as an early treatment,is highly effective, especially when given in combination with the antibiotics azithromycin or doxycycline and the nutritional supplement zinc.

Risch explained that the drug works against the virus when taken early before it multiplies throughout the body. He said some physicians who prescribed hydroxychloroquine to patients are now being scrutinized for their actions.

And arecent major studyfrom the Henry Ford Health System in Michigan said the drug significantly cut the death rate of patients.

Treatment with hydroxychloroquine cut the death rate significantly in sick patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and without heart-related side-effects, thehealth organizationreports.

For more information on the White Coat Summit, clickhere.

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Tech Giants 'Killing Free Expression', Block Trump Jr. and Hide Reports About Effective Treatment for COVID - Faithwire

Decision to force tech giants to pay for news will have ‘significant global ramifications’ – Sky News Australia

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The decision to force Google and Facebook to pay for outside content will have huge global ramifications, both for the tech giants and for media companies, according to Sky News host Chris Kenny. Tech giants will be forced to pay Australian media companies for their content or else they will be ushered into binding arbitration if parties cannot agree within a three-month window. The world-first mandatory code was unveiled by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg today as he complained tech giants Google and Facebook had not made adequate progress towards paying companies for original journalism. Google alone has ripped hundreds and millions of dollars from Australian media companies in recent years and earned $4.3 billion in Australian advertising revenue in 2019. Mr Kenny said the decision is about fairness and protecting media jobs. This means companies like Sky News, News Corp newspapers and our competitors in Nine newspapers and other broadcasters, it means we'll share in some of the revenue the tech giants derive from sharing our content, if all goes well, Mr Kenny said.But that should be good for you, helping to guarantee a vibrant media industry, ensure proper journalism is funded and preventing local companies and jobs from being killed off by the global giants who suck up all the advertising revenue. "People love the services we get from search engines and social media. But this is all about redressing the balance, making sure content providers are paid fairly for what they do, and in the end protecting jobs in the news media.

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Decision to force tech giants to pay for news will have 'significant global ramifications' - Sky News Australia

Evolution of the Sky? | Sports – Moscow-Pullman Daily News

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It was a common theme during the Big Skys media days last week for coaches to lavish praise on the leagues quarterbacks, a position group that in large part has represented this conference for the past four decades.

No matter whos the starter for each of these teams, youre in a battle, said Weber States Jay Hill, whos coached the Wildcats to three consecutive Big Sky titles. The coaches have done such a phenomenal job, that it doesnt matter who plays.

Its an interesting sentiment from someone like Hill, whos made a living on not having to load the marbles on his quarterback play.

The league certainly is evolving in some way, yet the virtual season kickoff had its share of the expected lines from coaches: Its a quarterback conference, and it always has been, as Portland States Bruce Barnum put it.

For all we know, he mightve been referencing the revolutionary passing concepts at Idaho in the mid-1980s/early-90s, installed by storied coach Dennis Erickson, to be continued by his tree, as well as a string of All-American Vandal quarterbacks.

So yes, for the most part, that notion fit back in the day.

As for the present: In 2019, six of the leagues teams ranked in the Football Championship Subdivisions statistical top 25 for passing offense, four of which were among the 10 best out of 127 programs.

Throughout recent memory, the story has been similar.

Just ask the Vandals, who were caught off-guard, and yielded huge numbers to Big Sky quarterbacks during their 2018 conference reintroduction after a four-year stay in the run-heavy Sun Belt.

Last year, five conference signal-callers landed in the countrys top 25 in passing yards.

The most productive of them Eastern Washingtons Eric Barriere, Northern Arizonas Case Cookus and Sacramento States Kevin Thomson were legitimate candidates in the race for the Walter Payton Award, which eventually was claimed by North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance.

Six of the top-25 FCS offenses were guided by prolific Big Sky quarterbacks, proving a valuable field general can boost offensive output in general. Montana State and its churn-it-out ground game came in at No. 25.

The leagues quarterbacks have become a commodity, with several of them recently having transferred to Football Bowl Subdivision teams, and out of a league Barnum termed the 7-Eleven of college football. You stop by and get a Slurpee.

Most notably: Thomson, the BSCs offensive MVP last season, went to Washington as a graduate transfer; Southern Utahs Chris Helbig hopped ship to Eastern Michigan, and Webers Jake Constantine announced hell walk on at Washington State.

Many Big Sky players could play in several different FBS conferences, Cal Polys Beau Baldwin said.

In total, five quarterbacks have significant Big Sky experience.

There have been effective transfers up, and now, a prevalence of drop downs. Half of the league most likely will start former FBS quarterbacks.

Then even the backups, they can beat you if youre not ready, Hill said. I mean, a couple of years ago, Eastern plays for the national championship, and they do it with a first-year quarterback (Barriere).

But the outlying teams are so elite in terms of FCS play, they muddy the easy storyline. Some programs, most notably Weber State, flout history.

This conference is quickly becoming very, very physical, NAUs Chris Ball said.

The Big Sky, on second glance, looks like its gravitating away from, Whoever scores the most wins, and closer to, Could we stamp out potent offense with a loaded defense?

The three Big Sky members with the best national finishes last year No. 3 Weber State, No. 4 Montana State and No. 8 Sac State were defense-first types of teams. They exhibited top-30 scoring defenses laden with next-level talents, and were way up there in categories like sacks and turnovers forced.

The Wildcats and Bobcats were prone to ride the ground game offensively, while the Hornets trended toward balanced play, with an athletic quarterback who generated offense in various ways.

I think (quarterback) has been the missing link for us, said MSUs Jeff Choate, who brought in North Carolina State transfer Matt McKay. NAU, Weber, Montana, Idaho State and Idaho each recruited FBS kick-backs too. So, maybe itll still be a quarterback-defined conference after all.

Or rather, should the Big Sky be known for the many prominent faces behind it all?

There are a lot of creative minds, in all three phases, Sac States Troy Taylor said.

Big Sky coaching encompasses a wide sphere of schematics.

There are tested offensive play-callers with decades of experience, like UC Davis Dan Hawkins the igniter for Boise States football success UIs Paul Petrino, former accomplished EWU offensive coordinator Aaron Best, and his celebrated predecessor, Baldwin.

There are calculated defensive minds like Barnum and SUUs Demario Warren. There are well-rounded, adaptable brains like Hill, Taylor and Choate. There are wily veterans like Ball and Montanas Bobby Hauck.

Theres a lot of tremendous coaches, and tradition, Hawkins said. It really is a fun task to try and match wits with everyone. ... Ive coached a lot of football. Ive been around a while, and theres as good a coaching going on in this league as Ive seen anywhere, and that includes the Big 12. Theres a lot of good schemes coming out of this league. Its tough.

Added Ed McCaffrey, a former All-Pro Denver Broncos receiver and Northern Colorados new coach: The coaching is really, really good. Its also a little intimidating.

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Evolution of the Sky? | Sports - Moscow-Pullman Daily News

Sound Evolution from EPOS – UC Today

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As any hearing aid user learns fast, the auditory experience is created in the brain, not the ear. Surrounded by continual background noise in almost all environments, the human mind instinctively filters and pays attention to what is important, whether completely ignoring familiar traffic noises in favour of conversation, or picking out a mention of your own name across a crowded room.

Once you introduce the mediation of a device headphones or a hearing device however this delicate interaction between our eardrums and our brain is disrupted, and any background noise has more impact. While headphones can physically block some ambient sounds, background noise from transport to media to other people has an inevitable impact on concentration and productivity, particularly in the workplace.

Active and hybrid noise-cancelling technologies are improving all the time, and by filtering out lower-frequency sound waves and using feed-forward technology to directly cancel out unwanted inputs in the high frequency spectrum, impressive results can be achieved, optimised for different environments. But for truly effective noise cancellation, EPOS is deploying artificial intelligence (AI) in its latest headsets like the ADAPT 600, mimicking the way the human brain learns to filter and prioritise audio inputs like that flight path noise in your new apartment, which after a few weeks you simply dont notice.

Jesper Kock

As VP of R&D, Jesper Kock, described in a recent interview, the AI learns what the user needs it to do, in a process which is not unlike human learning, like when youre a parent to a small child you teach them how to ride a bike by teaching them the basics You look after them and give them feedback.

We start in just the same way with an AI neural network we teach it about EPOS sound quality and performance in our products. Then we teach it what we want to aim for, and the system ultimately becomes self-learning, arriving at solutions and detail that we couldnt have programmed.

So instead of having maybe 10 pre-configured noise reduction settings in a really high-end hybrid noise reduction headset, the AI can react in real-time to continually changing inputs in the users actual surroundings. It can intelligently optimise not only for voice pick-up, but to block out repetitive sounds and distractions enabling users to eliminate the continental disruption and distraction which plagues the modern workplace and so many other environments.

In an era where many of us are learning to work from new locations, having tech which comes on the journey with us both literally and metaphorically is a powerful success factor. Adaptive noise cancellation technology which continually adjusts to the changes as you experience them brings a new dimension of focus and peace, in any environment.

And the future will only get smarter, as Kock elaborated:

I can see AI providing input on other parameters, for example, reacting to the way you talk: your tone of voice, the words that you use, identifying if you are tired or angry or anxious

The device will know more about yourself than you do, and will be able to provide advice to you as a result.

These kinds of advanced biometrics may sound dangerously deep in the uncanny valley, but the explosion of AI voice assistants in the home as well as the workplace demonstrates growing acceptance of voice-driven technologies, which are enhancing our environments in undreamed of ways, and recent global events have only accelerated existing trends.

I think the 2020s are set to be a truly transformative decade when it comes to tech empowering the workplace, Kock continued. The overarching objective to encourage greater tech collaboration and integration in our daily lives will never have felt so present. These trends will not only optimise work performance and productivity but also dramatically improve employee health and well-being.

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Sound Evolution from EPOS - UC Today

The Fairy Tale World of an Evolution Textbook – Discovery Institute

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Photo: This fer-de-lance doesn't belong in a hotel, by Bernard DUPONT / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0).

Editors note: Dr. Shedingeris a Professor of Religion at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He is the author of a recent book critiquing Darwinian triumphalism,The Mystery of Evolutionary Mechanisms. See also the earlier entries in this series:

I have been reviewing the edited and updated textbook Strickbergers Evolution. In a text box titled Coevolution of Plants and Insects, Brian K. Hall and Benedikt Hallgrimsson tell of how Darwin became aware of strange forms among orchids and postulated that even the most unusual orchid must have a matching pollinator that had coevolved with it. For example, the Madagascar Star (Christmas orchid) had a corolla 25 cm. long but no pollinator was known to Darwin. Years later, however, a giant hawk moth was discovered with a 30 cm. tongue, proving Darwins postulate. Hall and Hallgrimsson view these types of coevolutionary relationships as evidence for natural selection. But they do so without considering how such a process would actually work.

The textbook consistently side-steps the problem of the initial stages of variation. That is, if an orchid developed a slightly longer corolla, how could a hawk moth pollinate it if the hawk moth had not yet developed the slightly longer tongue necessary? What was the initial stage of variation that set this coevolutionary process in motion? This problem appears in many different parts of the textbook, most prominently when discussing major transitions in evolutionary history. In these discussions, Hall and Hallgrimsson set aside science and engage in the telling of fairy tales worthy of Hans Christian Andersen.

For example we are told, The change from unicellularity to multicellularity occurred a number of times, giving rise to different lineages of organisms. But what drove this transition? There must be advantages to multicellularity that would be preserved by natural selection. A multicellular organisms food gathering surface, we are told, increases which ensures a more stable food supply and the ability to attack and digest larger particles of food. This would be accompanied by an increase in gene numbers and regulatory pathways.

But if by chance some ancient unicellular organism mutated in such a way that its offspring became multicellular, and these multicellular offspring were perpetuated by natural selection due to the advantages they enjoy over their unicellular parents, they would have eventually replaced their unicellular ancestors and the world today would be awash only in multicellular organisms. But as anyone who has battled a bacterial infection knows, unicellular organisms continue today as perhaps the most successful organisms on the face of the planet. Multicellularity somehow evolved, but it does not seem to be because multicellularity confers a clear selective advantage. After all, most multicellular organisms have gone extinct.

Hall and Hallgrimsson then consider the increasing complexity of organisms over the course of evolutionary history. For example, early pelagic animals that swam above the sea floor, we are told, became benthic animals that crawled along the sea floor eating accumulated detritus. Why? Because a benthic existence has clear advantages:

A number of evolutionary steps would inevitably accompany a benthic existence. The scattered distribution of food sources would give a selective advantage to organisms that could eat more food more rapidly, leading to an increase in size and the evolution of a mouth and gut that would permit selective digestion.

If this transition took a number of evolutionary steps, how would the first benthic organisms have taken advantage of these new food sources if a mouth and gut had not yet developed? And if benthic existence was such a selective advantage, why do the oceans today teem with large and complex pelagic organisms swimming above the sea floor? (Sharks, anyone?!) The textbook has nothing to say on this.

Life, of course, did not remain in the sea. How did aquatic organisms invade the land? The commonly accepted hypothesis, according to Hall and Hallgrimsson, is that aquatic animals moved onto land due to pressure from increasing numbers of predators and competition for space, food, and breeding sites. That is:

Combined ecological, environmental, and climactic changes provided powerful selective advantages to lineages spending progressively larger periods of time on land.

But if land-dwelling was such an advantage, why did aquatic lineages continue to thrive? And what was the initial stage of variation that allowed for terrestrial existence, given the radically different anatomical and physiological systems required for life on the land. Apparently, natural selection waived its magic wand and fish walked out of the sea!

Eventually, terrestrial animals, which were cold-blooded, discovered endothermy. And this was clearly an advantage since:

increased aerobic metabolism supports more sustained activity and greater stamina than ectotherms can achieve; ectotherms become rapidly exhausted because they rely mostly on anaerobic metabolism.

Several years ago, my family spent time at an eco-lodge in the Costa Rican rainforest. One morning lodge employees were trying to capture and remove a fer-de-lance from the lodge grounds for safety reasons. But after reading Strickbergers Evolution, I fail to understand their concern. The exhausted snake should not have presented much of a danger to the superior endotherms staying at the lodge!

In a related transition, why did egg-laying animals give rise to live births? A system that provided maternal care and nourishment, we are told, would have led to smaller eggs and more rapid development of the fetus before hatching. Endothermy would have helped since the hatched offspring could be kept close to maternal body temperature which would have assisted enzymatic activity. Then:

At some point, viviparity (viviparous reproduction) replaced oviparity; it would probably take only a few additional steps for hatching to occur in the oviduct.

Viviparity replaced oviparity? Really?! Then where did my scrambled eggs come from this morning?!

Understanding how small incremental variations would be preserved by natural selection and lead to large-scale evolutionary change has plagued Darwinism since its inception. In 1909 the forceful Darwinian August Weismann puzzled over the thickness of limpet shells that protect limpets from the destructive force of ocean waves. He asks:

What proportion of thickness was sufficient to decide that of two variants of a limpet, one should survive, the other be eliminated?

Weismann confesses ignorance on this question but assumes that some measure of thickness must have had selective value because limpets exist. To the larger question of whether small incremental variations can do the work Darwin requires of them Weismann writes:

To this question even one, who like myself, has been for many years a convinced adherent of the theory of selection can only reply: we must assume so, but we cannot prove it in any case. It is not upon demonstrative evidence that we rely when we champion the doctrine of selection as a scientific truth; we base our argument on quite other grounds. [Emphasis in the original.]

What are those other grounds? Later in the same essay Weismann comes clean:

We must accept it (natural selection) because the phenomena of evolution and adaptation must have a natural basis, and because it is the only possible explanation.

Strickbergers Evolution is clearly making the same kinds of assumptions as Weismann, and likely for the same reason: the philosophical requirement for naturalistic explanation. The textbook wants to tell a story of how major transitions in the history of life were driven by mutations conferring a selective advantage on organisms that out-competed and replaced their inferior ancestors. But the data dont support this narrative. Multicellularity developed, but unicellular organisms continue to exist and thrive. Benthic organisms evolved, but their pelagic ancestors continue to swim in the worlds oceans. Some animals left the ocean to live on land, but their ocean-living cousins have done just fine. Endothermy may have advantages over ectothermy, but I wouldnt advise taking your chances by picking up a poisonous snake.

Given the lack of substantive scientific argumentation in these attempts to account for major transitions in the history of life, Strickbergers Evolution might be a textbook better suited to an English course on fantasy literature. It really doesnt belong in a science classroom.

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The Fairy Tale World of an Evolution Textbook - Discovery Institute

How evolution fights epidemics with altruism – Varsity Online

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Bees (as well as ants and wasps) are from a group of insects known as Hymenopterans which are famous for their complex eusocial societies founded on altruism. Pixabay

In recent times we have become acutely aware of the devastating effects of infectious diseases on human life. Less publicized, however, are diseases affecting wild animal populations, which have played a central role in the extinction of many species. As such, disease plays a vital role in the ecology and evolution of animals and understanding its spread is crucial for the preservation of the worlds biodiversity. Social animals, with their tight communities and genetically homogenous groups, are at particular risk of succumbing to disease. To protect themselves, primates and social insects have evolved a collection of behaviours that minimize the risk and severity of infection. These can be preventative, such as grooming in primates, or active, such as social fever in honeybees, during which the temperature of the hive during bacterial infection is raised by the coordinated action of the individual bees. These behaviours form what is called social or collective immunity.

Animals like honeybees and ants, with their complex social structures and long-lasting nests, are often taken as model organisms to study social immunity. They can fall victim to a variety of parasites, be they fungus, bacteria, virus or smaller insects. These parasites and their hosts have coevolved in an evolutionary arms race leading to amazing examples of cooperation within the colony. For example, the smallest caste of the leaf-cutting ants will hitchhike on the leaves transported to the colony by the larger workers and thereby prevent flies from laying eggs on them. Uptake of parasites into the colony is similarly prevented in honeybee nests by having specialized bees guarding the entrance. Returning workers showing signs of infection will be barred entry. This behaviour must have been selected for at the level of the colony, as it is obviously detrimental to the individual. In this way, social insects avoid infection by preventing the parasites entry into the nest altogether.

Even if a parasite does enter the nest, the hosts will attempt to prevent its establishment. One way this is done is through cleanliness. Ants, termites and wasps will coat their nest walls with antibacterial secretions and rapidly remove corpses from inside the nest. This prevents the growth of fungi and bacteria. In another case, African honeybees prevent the establishment of the small hive beetle by driving the parasite into a corner and encapsulating it with propolis, or bee glue. This process can take up to days and involves multiple bees cooperating to build the wall and ensure the beetle does not leave during its construction. Researchers have found sealed crevices with up to 200 individuals, with evidence of cannibalism between the beetles. European honeybees lack this behaviour and the small hive beetle can often lead to the collapse of the entire hive. Overall, it is the dedication of time by the colony to the task of cleaning and guarding against parasites that prevents their establishment.

One hopes that we learn from animals social immunity that the most natural response to an epidemic is altruism.

If a parasite manages to establish itself within the nest, measures will be taken to minimize its spread and severity. Termites infected by fungus will signal to their peers not to approach them by hopping and bouncing erratically against the nest walls. In extreme cases, they might prompt their peers to encapsulate them to prevent the spread altogether. Ants will also implement their own version of social distancing, limiting contacts within castes. This localizes the infection to only a region of the nest, thereby protecting the queen. In one ant species, ants will heavily groom those exposed to the fungus. This spreads the fungus spores among the colony, lessening the severity of infection and priming the individuals immune system against the illness. This comes at a high risk to healthy individuals but serves to lower the overall threat to the colony. Altruism towards their peers is ultimately at the core of many of these social strategies. By cooperating to limit the spread, severity, establishment and uptake of parasites, social insects can avoid the worst effects of disease.

Collective immunity is not limited, however, to insects. Primates will frequently groom one another, for both social bonding and hygienic purposes. In the sea, cleaner shrimp and fish congregate to form cleaning stations, where they then feed on parasites of larger animals. These collectives are wonderful examples of interspecies cooperation. Microbes, themselves often the target of social immunity strategies, also exhibit collective immunity. When bacterial Staphylococcus aureus colonies are challenged with antibiotic gentamicin, some individuals begin to respire anaerobically. This reduces the pH, rendering the drug ineffective towards the whole colony. These bacteria incur a large cost to themselves in order to confer immunity to those that didnt change their metabolism. Strategies to prevent and fight disease are general and can be found in social species ranging from microbes to the great apes.

Behaviours contributing to collective immunity have been selected for by evolution to suit the particular parasites in the hosts environment, but human activity is upsetting this delicate balance. By introducing diseases to new locations and encroaching on animal habitats we are increasingly putting species at risk of extinction. In Hawaii, avian malaria carried by the non-native mosquito has been one of the driving factors for the extinction of many bird species. In North America, the small hive beetle is partly responsible for the falling population of honeybees. The increasing closeness between urban centres and wildlife is sure to produce future outbreaks of disease. During these, one hopes that we learn from animals social immunity that the most natural response to an epidemic is altruism.

Varsity is the independent newspaper for the University of Cambridge, established in its current form in 1947. In order to maintain our editorial independence, our newspaper and news website receives no funding from the University of Cambridge or its constituent Colleges.

We are therefore almost entirely reliant on advertising for funding, and during this unprecedented global crisis, we have a tough few weeks and months ahead.

In spite of this situation, we are going to look at inventive ways to look at serving our readership with digital content for the time being.

Therefore we are asking our readers, if they wish, to make a donation from as little as 1, to help with our running cost at least until we hopefully return to print on 2nd October 2020.

Many thanks, all of us here at Varsity would like to wish you, your friends, families and all of your loved ones a safe and healthy few months ahead.

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How evolution fights epidemics with altruism - Varsity Online

Around the Horn In Six Hats (The Evolution of Baseball Caps) – Last Word on Baseball

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The hat and baseball are connected like Ben and Jerry. One without the other doesnt make sense. Nobody says, Hey, while youre at the grocery store can you pick me up some Bens?

Ben needs Jerry. Ballplayers need caps.

These days, wearing a baseball hat is common place. They are worn by most people and have become a part of everyday attire for quite a few baseball and non-baseball fans alike. But where did these hats come from and how did they evolve into the fashion statements that we adorn today?

The mid to late 19th century was a cornucopia of hats and hat styles. From deerstalkers (think Sherlock Holmes) to jockey caps, to pillbox caps (Civil War couture), to boaters and fedoras, the man or woman of the Industrial Revolution had plenty of head wear to choose from. And from these various styles developed the baseball hat that we know today.

The place was Hoboken, New Jersey. It was June 19, 1846. The first officially recorded baseball game was being played between the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club and the New York Base Ball Club. The Knickerbockers lost 23 to 1. They also wore straw hats as they played, thusly triggering the love affair between baseball and hats, although their hats were probably better suited for a pleasant row around the pond.

Fourteen years later an amateur team named the Brooklyn Excelsiors donned the ancestor of the modern baseball cap. The Brooklyn-style hat had a rounded-top and a button at the peak. The Excelsiors were in the midst of a championship season in 1860 and that could be one reason the style caught on. Champions tend to set the trends. Who doesnt want to follow a winner?

In 1901, the charter member of the newly founded American League, the Detroit Tigers, wore a cap with something new on it. What was that newfangled thing? A logo. The dark blue cap had a running orange tiger stitched on the front. It seems so simple and standard now, but in 1901 it was revolutionary.

Baseball hats in the 1920s and 1930s, well, grew. The bill, or visor, became longer in an attempt to further shade the players eyes from the sun. The visor also became firmer, allowing for the wearer to shape the bill to their comfort level. Probably the most iconic hat from this era, and possibly of all baseball history (although, Boston Red Sox fans would surely disagree), is the New York Yankees cap.

As the 30s came to a close the idea of bigger is better continued to sink its claws into American society. The baseball hat wasnt exempt. Although the bill stayed the same length, the crown grew up. With the gain in altitude the front of the hat allowed for more advertising space. For the next sixty years, give or take a few, this hat style dominated the national game and worked its way into the closets of the American citizen.

Baseball hats have always been made of wool. You know the stuff, its itchy and hot. Then, in 2007, Major League Baseball decided, for the comfort of its players, to switch to a polyester blend. So long wool, hello breathability.

Who knows what the baseball hat will evolve into? Possibly, instead of stitched logos, they will become digital, with different images attainable on a single hat. Maybe the bill will get longer, perhaps long enough to match Scotty Smalls hat from the Sandlot. Whatever direction the baseball cap takes it is a part of the fabric of our society and has become not just a tool of functionality, but a statement of fashion.

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Fact check: Image doesn’t show mass of tornadoes; it’s an edited evolution of one tornado – USA TODAY

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A star was born when Chief Meteorologist Jeff Lyons for 14 News in Evansville, Indiana brought Betty his cat on-air during a weather hit. USA TODAY

If the world of misinformation had its way, Dorothy would be adding parades of deadly tornadoes alongside lions, tigers and bears on Kansas'list of worst nightmares.

Despite fact-checkers efforts, Facebook users continue to misrepresent a photo illustration of a May 2016 tornado's evolution. The image, which MamouChoctow posted July 11, appears to depicta series of seven hurricanes simultaneously striking a Kansas horizon.

Intense Supercell with a Mass of Tornados North of Minneola Kansas. By @ Jason Weingart,Choctaw captioned the photo.

There were more tornadoes in Kansas between 1950 and August 2018 than in every other state besides Texas.(Photo: clintspencer / Getty Images)

Many Facebook users expressed awe at the photo and terror at the presumed destruction, while some commented that the scene was not as it seemed.

Like a menacing army of tornados marching on. Wow, what a photo! Nyla Slosson commented.

But Harris John quoted from the image's Wikipedia caption: This image is created from eight images shot in two sequences as a tornado formed north of Minneola, Kansas on May 24, 2016. This prolific supercell went on to produce at least 12 tornadoes and at times had two and even three tornadoes on the ground at once,

Choctaw has not yet responded to USA TODAYs request for comment.

Fact check: Hurricane Hanna did not collapse border wall in Texas

The supercellstruck north of Minneola, Kansas, on May 24, 2016, and was photographed by storm chaser Jason Weingart.

According to the National Weather Service, the supercell produced 12 to 15 tornadoes that afternoon and early evening. The tornadoesdid not strike simultaneously in a line as Choctow suggests.

Supercell tornadoes are the most common kind of tornado, which form from supercell thunderstorms. Scientists theorize that supercell tornadoes form when winds at different heights, speeds and directions form an updraft of rotating air.

Fact check: Viral photo shows Obama, Fauci visiting NIH lab in 2014, not a 'Wuhan lab' in 2015

Weignart has confirmed via phone call with USA TODAY and within the description on his website that the image captures one single tornado, not a mass of multiple tornadoes.

It is the evolution of one single tornado, Weingart told USA TODAY.

Evolution of the first of several tornadoes in Ford County, Ks on May 24, 2016, Weingart describes the photo on his website.

He told USA TODAY he created "Evolution of a Tornado" from a time-lapse he recorded.

Weingart sells the image online and has made it availableon Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons. He also uploaded a video of the tornado to YouTube.

In 2017, Weingart submitted"Evolution of a Tornado" as an image series to the Wiki Science Competition and won.

"About a year later someone on Facebook downloaded and posted it as a 'mass of tornadoes'and it went viral," he said.

Fact check: Picture of a massive dust cloud is over Phoenix, not Puerto Rico

We rate the claim that a widely shared photo of a May 2016 stormdepicts a mass of tornadoes simultaneously striking FALSE because it is not supported by our research. The photographer Jason Weingart has confirmed in his online descriptions and directly to USA TODAY that he edited a time-lapse of a single tornado into one image to createa visual representation of thestorm's evolution.

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here.

Our fact check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

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Fact check: Image doesn't show mass of tornadoes; it's an edited evolution of one tornado - USA TODAY

From Kraftwerk to The Chemical Brothers: the evolution of electronic music – Creative Review

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As the Design Museum opens its new show Electronic, we speak to curator Gemma Curtin and The Chemical Brothers collaborators Smith & Lyall about the genres wider impact on creativity and culture, and how the music industry could look post-pandemic

Its a surreal experience stepping foot inside the Design Museums new exhibition about electronic music in the midst of a pandemic. When I visit the show in late July, the UK is well into its fourth month of a nationwide lockdown, and its been what feels like an eternity since I interacted with real-life people outside of a Zoom call, let alone feel the crush of other human bodies in a crowded nightclub or music festival.

As I walk around the darkened exhibition space, Im bombarded with sensory experiences flashing strobe lights, a thumping soundtrack and electrifying footage from the bygone days of live shows all designed to transport you back to the dancefloor. But as I step inside the final exhibit, an immersive installation created by Adam Smith and Marcus Lyall, longtime collaborators of The Chemical Brothers, which recreates one of the bands live shows, the thing that instinctively hits me is just how familiar it smells.

When I catch up Smith and Lyall after the show and question them about the distinctive scent that I cant quite put my finger on, Im informed that its just the smell of the smoke machine. Its like freshly mown grass for ravers, isnt it?, says Lyall. In putting on Electronic, the Design Museum is attempting to recreate that intangible feeling of electronic music albeit in a different setting while also exploring the genres wider social and cultural influence.

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10 Awesome Pokmon That Really Need A New Evolution | ScreenRant – Screen Rant

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The Pokmon franchise is going strong for nearly 25 years. That's a quarter century of new pocket monsters, adventures, and updates. The series is constantly evolving like its namesake creatures. That also includes adding newPokmon each generation.Occasionally, an entire new evolution will be added to an existingPokmon or evolutionary line, which is exciting for fans.

RELATED:10 Pokmon We Want To See In Detective Pikachu 2

Fans are always clamoring for a new form or version of their absolute favorites. With Dynamax, Gigantamax, regional variants, and Mega Evolutions in the games, fans have been able to see their favorites in all-new ways. Still, there are somePokmon that never get these updates, or some that could still use some more.

This Ghost/Grass anchor is known as the Sea CreeperPokmon. It was added in Generation VII, a perfect aquatic addition to the Alola region in the Sun and Moon games. It is a huge anchor held to a ship's steering wheel by seaweed. ThisPokmon not only has a neat design, but it's also the only one that can learn the move Anchor Shot.

Dhelmise absolutely deserves an evolution, as it cannot evolve into any otherPokmon. Speculating on what an evolution could look like for this cool creature, it could possibly evolve into a large ghost ship itself, or even a giant sail. Fans would love a new design.

Absol is one of the series' most popularPokmon. This Dark-typePokmon has been around since Generation III, where it captured hearts with its stand-out design. Although not one of the most powerfulPokmon, it is one of the most memorable. It's so popular, in fact, that itis one of the few to be given a Mega form.

RELATED: The 10 Most Powerful Pokmon Cards, Ranked

Somehow, it still doesn't have an evolution, though. Absol would be a prime candidate to get a newPokmon in its line, given its fan-favorite status. Simply imagine how cute an emo kitten would be as a predecessor, or to see it evolve into an even more ferocious feline.

The Fire-type anteaterPokmon from Generation V onward doesn't have an evolution. This is surprising, as it is has made cameos in the anime, manga, and many side games in the franchise. It's about time an evolution gets added to its line.

Fun fact: Heatmor is the only non-Bug typePokmon that can learn the move Bug Bite. This could be a clue as to what the anteater can evolve into: a Fire/BugPokmon. Not manyPokmon have the distinction of this specific, opposing dual typing, so it would make for a great final evolution for Heatmor.

Pinsir is one of the originalPokmon, with its origins going all the way back to good old Generation I. Beginning in Red and Blue, trainers could catch Pinsir in a couple of ways. Depending on the game, players could obtain Pinsir through trade, the Safari Zone, or Celadon City's Game Corner.

That made it exclusive and desirable. It also had a companion, as many do: Scyther, which got its own evolution in a later game. So why shouldn't Pinsir? It has a Mega Evolution form, but not a standard evolution. Maybe this will change in a later generation.

This cute giraffePokmon goes way back: first introduced in Generation II, Girafarig is Normal/Psychic and has no known evolutions. While not necessarily a fan favorite, it's about time such a sweetPokmon gets its dues.

RELATED:The 10 Biggest Problems With Pokmon Games (They Need To Fix)

Think of how adorable an evolution would be. It could grow into a tall, long-necked giraffe, much like Alolan Executor. Or, its design could be similar to the dinosaur-like Tropius from Generation III.

Stantler is another Generation IIPokmon with no evolutions. The Big HornPokmonis all kinds of classic: its design is a straightforward caribou while its type is simply Normal. Therefore, it provides a great foundationfor an evolutionary line, but it never got the distinction.

Fans would probably adore a pre-evolution that looks like Bambi. It would serve thePokmon well and make Stantler a desirable final evolution for players to reach. Maybe it will be chosen for a future evolution in another game, although it was introduced so long ago it's possible it will never get another form.

Maractus the flowering cactusPokmon has such a unique design that it's a shame it has no known evolutions. With the popularity of desert plants like succulents these days, which are all the rage with younger generations, it would be the cutest design to have a succulentPokmon evolve into Maractus.

On the other hand, Maractus could also evolve into a larger and even more powerfulPokmon, such as a large plant, like a Joshua Tree or Yucca. That would serve its unique design well and really add to thePokmon universe.

Klefki is the cute Steel/Fairy-typePokmon introduced in Generation VI. The Key RingPokmon has aone-of-a-kind look. But without any evolutions, it leaves so much to be desired. The possibilities are endless with this one! With the key motif, there are so many designs to play off of.

Here are a few to get the conversation started: it could evolve into a skeleton key, playing off its spooky look; it could evolve from a little lock with a heart-shaped key in honor of being Fairy; or it could start off as one of the keys on its keyring, similar to the evolutionary line of Dreepy.

Without contest, Druddigon is one of the coolestPokmon from Generation V. But in a huge surprise, it doesn't actually have any evolutionary forms. Typically, Dragon-typePokmon do have evolutions, as they usually appear later in the game and take quite a bit of leveling up to get to its final form.

Therefore, it would make sense for Druddigon to have one, if not two, forms to precede its final evolution. All the great Dragon types have them, as they are meant to be challenging to raise and train. Only a few generations old, there's a possibility Druddigon's line could expand.

If there is anyPokmon most famous for its evolutions, it has to be Eevee. Its name even sounds like evolution, which is most likely intentional. The foxPokmon is one of the most adorable and acclaimed designs, even getting its own feature in theLet's Goseries.

Without fail, fans clamor for a new Eevolution with every generation that's announced. Interestingly enough, it did not get a new elemental evolution in the latest generation, but there are still so many possibilities out there: Ghost, Poison, Flying, and Dragon, to name a few. Game Freak simply has to continue expanding this line, there's no doubt about it.

NEXT:10 Pokmon So Dangerous, Only Tiger King Would Want One As A Pet

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Charles Darwin and the evolution of the media skill set – AdNews

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Spinach Advertising's general manager and media director, Ben Willee.

Ben Willee is the GM and media director of Melbourne agency Spinach.

The needs of client-side marketers have changed dramatically in recent years forcing a rethink of what is required from a media partnership. So what skills do your media people need to be effective now and in the future? Ben Willee explains.

Charles Darwin once said, It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change. Even though he died in 1882, Im sure he was talking about todays media business.

Anyone thats been working in this industry for more than five minutes will tell you, its constantly changing. Its one of the best parts of the job, but it also creates a host of challenges, especially for advertisers.

The reality is, todays client-side marketers need something vastly different in a media partnership than what they did just 12 months ago. And thats not only because of the never- ending impacts of the current COVID situation we find ourselves in.

Its no longer good enough for media agencies to come to the table with some good deals on media buys after a few boozy lunches with sales reps. That went out the window even before COVID.

Media people today have to wear a host of different hats to truly deliver value to their clients; part scholar, part rough-and-tumble trader and part orchestra conductor (okay maybe that last one is a stretch, but you get my gist).

Todays media folks must be able to understand so much more than how to drive the Facebook Business Manager or grasp how TV ratings work. They need a head for integrated marketing strategy and a keen sense of what technology and AI can deliver because rustling up an audience is now only half the game.

We all know the improvement in campaign ROI when bottom-of-the-funnel activity is personalised and thats a result of what is happening in the tech stack. It doesnt have to be big; it doesnt have to be complicated; it just has to have a considered hypothesis and some smarts about how it can deliver on the client objectives.

The flip side is that people who understand the tech often fall into the trap of thinking that just because something can be measured easily, its more effective. And thats simply not the case. The media people who are prepared for today and tomorrow are the ones that can see past whats easy and focus on whats effective. In the right hands, martech is very powerful.

Additionally, media pros need to understand how a Customer Data Platform works, what data it collects, in what form and how it can be used to make campaigns more efficient. They also need to understand how this works in line with the clients privacy policy. For example, does the policy state data can be shared for marketing purposes?

To be able to ask the right questions to get the best business outcomes, you need someone that can do the thinking. Media people dont need to know how the clock works but they must be able to tell the time.

That said, dont fall into the trap of purely focusing on the tech abilities of media people.

Neilsen research suggests creative accounts for up to 47% of ad result variance. Its ironic since most media people barely give creative a second thought. Media people thinking creative is just a problem for the creative agency is a problem that is now being increasingly exposed. Im not saying media people should start wearing a beret and poking their noses into the creative process, but its smart to have a conversation with a creative agency or a creative person when the campaign is coming together and also when its being optimised. Its for this reason that a move to a full service 2.0 where media, creative, digital, data and tech are all under the one roof is gaining momentum.

As budgets continue to tighten, media will be expected to deliver more with less. Thats not new. Managing this in the digital age requires 360-degree strategic awareness and a complex set of skills. For those that are unsure if they have what it takes, organisations such as RMIT Online offer helpful courses to upskill.

If you asked our old mate Charles Darwin, hed say the ideal media person doesnt exist yetbecause they are still evolving and preparing themselves for the change thats yet to come.Ben Willee is the GM and media director of Melbourne agency Spinach.

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Fall Guys Is The Evolution Battle Royale Has Been Waiting For – Forbes

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Fall Guys

If your idea of battle royale is focused on shrinking circles and assault rifles, perhaps adjust your thinking. Ive just spent the morning playing Fall Guys, and . But make no mistake: this game might represent the most important evolution of battle royale since Fortnite added building into the mix.

Heres the setup: youre a weird rubbery pill thing, and youre on a game show that looks more than a little like Most Extreme Elimination Challenge. You start out running down an obstacle course with 59 other weird rubbery pill things, and by the end of it only 45 of you will advance to the next round. The next round will be something else: maybe some other weird obstacle course, maybe a team game where you have to steal tails off each others butts, maybe something I havent seen yet, but more players will be eliminated. Fewer and fewer, until only 1 remains.

Its battle royale, right?

Whats most interesting to me is that Fall Guys actually sacrifices very little of what defines battle royale, despite the wacky, nonviolent setup. Its all here: the insane, moshpit of an early phase, the escalating tension, the thrill of watching yourself stand tall as others fall, what I only assume is the elation of final victory.

What this game might do better, though, is the key element of any battle royale. A battle royale has to be fun to lose, because thats what 59 out of 60 competitors are going to be doing every round. And damn, if this isnt fun to lose: its insane, bouncy weirdness, top and and down, and it doesnt really matter if youre come out on top so long as you get to go again.

Weve seen a lot of games try to mimic the essential structure of Player Unknowns Battlegrounds with wildly varying degrees of success. What Fall Guys does is different. It doesn't just add new abilities and items into the basic kill everyone until you or your team are the only ones left standing formula. By conceptualizing a battle royale without that basic verb kill, it turns it into something totally different that still keeps the essential building blocks of what made PUBG so successful.

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Fall Guys Is The Evolution Battle Royale Has Been Waiting For - Forbes