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Neo Nazis, Black Lives Matter, And Progressive Groups Clash In New Haven – The Daily Caller

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Danzig

Counter-protesters swarmed downtownNew Haven to shout down a rally featuringlibertarian speaker Augustus Invictus on Saturday morning.One has been hospitalized after getting pepper sprayed by authorities; at least threehave been arrested.

I saw three arrested. I heard there was a fourth, said a protester requesting only to be identified as IV. There are only twoother people in the U.S. with my last name and theyre in their seventies. My pronouns are they and this.

The rally was organized by local white nationalist groups with ties to Proud Boys, a new political movement helmedin the U.S. by the Canadian Vice Media-cofounder Gavin McInnes. The group has attracted thousands of members and promotes minimal government, maximum freedom, anti-political correctness, anti-racial guilt, pro-gun rights, anti-Drug War, closed borders, anti-masturbation, venerating entrepreneurs, venerating housewives, and reinstating a spirit of Western chauvinism during an age of globalism and multiculturalism, according to their Facebook page.

Augustus Invictus (an alias which translates into majestic unconquered sun in Latin)isbest known for controversial antics like sacrificing a goat and drinking its blood, along withrunning a failedcampaign for Marco Rubios Senate seat in Florida as a Libertarian (which promptedthe resignation of Floridas Libertarian Party chairman AdrianWyllie). He has openly advocated for eugenics and a civil warwhileattractinga following of mostly neo-Nazis and white nationalists.

Ninety-nine percent of the things that seem weird in my life can be answered with my religion,he told a reporter for Vicein 2015. Paganism, he added, is mostly about nature-worship. Its about being in harmony with your environment and bringing the world of spirit and world of man together. Its about balance.

Counter-protesters numbered about 150 and came from different groups such as Black Lives Matter, SURGE, and New Haven Uprising.

All of you are going to go back to Clinton [Connecticut] and were going to be the ones cleaning up after you! shouted a New Haven resident to the protesters. I got paint on my brand new iPhone.

The groups were last seenmarchingtowardsthe New Haven police station on 1 Union Ave to demand the release of the arrested counter protesters.

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Home | The Beach Waterpark | Mason, Ohio

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Danzig

There are so many rides, attractions, and events to enjoy at The Beach! Take fun to new heights as you soar high above the wave pool on our ZIP LINE! Check out the kids play areas like Big Creek Beach or enjoy a refreshing cocktail and live music on one of our ever-popular Reggae Sunday afternoons. And of course, theres the heated wave pool, refurbished slides and attractions, swimming lessons, group rates, fabulous birthday party packages, an indoor arcade, and so much more! We also have cabanas to make it easier to relax and enjoy a day at The Beach.

The Beach Waterpark is UNIQUE! Situated on 35 acres of rolling wooded terrain, The Beach has lots of shade and lush ambiance. At the park, youll enjoy live palm trees, white ocean sands, waterfalls, and crashing waves. A tropical island adventure awaits youyes, even right here in Cincinnati!

Check out the waterpark schedule for operating days and times here! To find out about the special events and activities planned for the 2017 season, visit our Facebook Page or sign up for our newsletter. Youll receive the best offers as soon as they come out!

Whether you are a child or just a child at heart, The Beach has something for everyone to enjoy. So get your cool on, and Come to The Beach!

Click HERE to watch the action live at The Beach!

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Home | The Beach Waterpark | Mason, Ohio

Cleveland and Northeast Ohio’s Lake Erie Beaches

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Danzig

One of the most delightful parts of summer in Northeast Ohio is the number of sand beaches that dot the Lake Erie shore, from Sandusky to Ashtabula. Facilities vary at each location. Find out more about these summer fun spots.

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A 300-foot expanse of sand greets visitors to this family-friendly and scenic beach. Lifeguards are on duty. Other park facilities include a marina, a lodge, hiking and biking trails, picnic tables, and camping facilities.

Geneva State Park 4499 Padanarum Rd. Geneva, OH 44041 440 466-8400

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This family beach, east of Cleveland includes a 20-acre park, a lighthouse, and a marine museum as well as picnic facilities, food concessions, restrooms, and canoe rentals.

Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park 301 Huntington Rd. Fairport Harbor, OH 440 354-4825

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This scenic lakefront park in the heart of Cleveland features a 900-foot wide stretch of sandy, swimming beach as well as two picnic pavilions, a kids' playground, and one of the best views of downtown Cleveland. It's also a great place to watch the 4th of July fireworks over Voinovich Park. Edgewater State Park 6700 Memorial Shoreway Cleveland, OH 216 881-8141

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The east side of the Cedar Point peninsula features one of the best beaches on Lake Erie. The well-manicured stretch of white sand features resort hotels, a beach volleyball court, a beachside TGI Fridays restaurant...all just steps away from the rides and thrills of Cedar Point.

Cedar Point One Cedar Point Dr. Sandusky, OH 419 627-2350

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Located at Marblehead, just east of Sandusky, this park features one of the nicest beaches on Lake Erie. The 1,500-foot stretch of white sand draws visitors from all over the state and beyond. Facilities include a marina, picnic tables, a concession stand, camping, and hiking trails.

East Harbor State Park 1169 N. Buck Rd. Lakeside-Marblehead, OH 43440 (419) 734-4424

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Headlands Beach State Park in Mentor is home to the largest natural sand beach in Ohio. The lighthouse at the end of the beach adds an extra scenic touch to the site. Facilities include picnic tables, concessions, and lots of restrooms.

Headlands Beach State Park 9601 Headlands Rd. Mentor, OH 440 466-8400

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Euclid Beach Park was once the area's most beloved amusement parks and the original gate still welcomes visitors to the park. The rides are gone now, but this eastside Lake Erie beach features a 650-foot stretch of white sand, a boardwalk, an observation pier, and a large picnic area.

Euclid Beach/ Villa Angela State Park 16301 Lakeshore Blvd. Cleveland, OH 216 881-8141

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Madison Township Park, located at the north end of Hubbard Road (route 528), is a 12-acre park with a beautiful stretch of white sand, a boat launch, a large pavilion and volleyball and basketball courts.

Township Park 6717 Lake Rd. Madison, OH

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Located in Bay Village, just west of Cleveland, this is one of the Cleveland Metropark's oldest reservations. The popular beach sits below a bluff with a great expanse of lawn, picnic facilities, and the fascinating Baycrafters store across Lake Rd. Fishing is available from the Lake Erie breakwall.

Huntington Beach Park Lake Rd. Bay Village, OH 216 351-6300

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Walnut Beach, located near the Harbor in Ashtabula, is a city-owned park with a wildlife preserve, a swimming beach, a playground, and volleyball courts. During the summer months, the park hosts a variety of festivals, free concerts, and other events. The park is the site of the city's "Wine and Walleye Festival."

Walnut Beach Park Walnut Blvd. Ashtabula, OH

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Located in Conneaut, near the Pennsylvania/Ohio state line, the 60-acre Conneaut Township Park features nearly a half-mile of white sand Lake Erie beach. The park features picnic facilities, scenic dunes and the picturesque Conneaut Harbor Lighthouse. Other facilities include a playground, a gazebo and food concessions.

Conneaut Township Park 480 Lake Road (SR531) Conneaut, OH

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The 677-acre Kelleys Island State Park, located in the heart of Ohio's Lake Erie islands, offers a 100-foot public white sand beach. The beach here is more friendly to sun-bathers and swimmers than those on nearby South Bass Island, which tend to be rocky. Other facilities at the park include camping and yurt rentals, boat rentals, fishing, hiking trails and picnic facilities.

Kelleys IslandState Park 920 Division Street Kelleys Island, OH 43438 419 746-2546

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Part of the Cleveland Lakefront Park System, the 18.9-acre Euclid Beach occupies the site of the former Euclid Beach Amusement Park, which closed in 1969. The white sand beach connects with the adjacent Villa Angela beach to form more than one-half mile of walkable sand. Facilities at Euclid Beach include picnic tables, a playground, hiking trails, food concessions and fishing.

Euclid Beach Lake Shore Boulevard just east of E 156th St. Cleveland, OH

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Cleveland and Northeast Ohio's Lake Erie Beaches

Everyone Entitled To Pleasant Beaches – Letter – CapeNews.net

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Danzig

The title of last weeks editorial Safety Is Top Priority For Lifeguards was neither news nor clarification. We all agree that preventing drowning during our eight-week beach season is the most important part of the Beach Departments mission.

The Falmouth Beach Departments mission statement can be found online. It reads in part ...assuring that a trip to Falmouths beaches is a pleasant, enjoyable and safe experience.

More than water safety alone is required for a pleasant, safe and enjoyable experience. The beach department actively ignores several other critical duties, including maintaining a clean beach, preventing smoking, preventing consumption of alcohol and preventing beachgoers from being struck by projectiles. Prior beach departments used to do all this. The current beach leadership chooses to remain uninvolved.

As pointed out in last weeks editorial, lifeguards should not enforce these rules. We take no issue with what is and what isnt in the lifeguards job description. We continue to take issue with the beach departments ongoing neglect of its own stated mission.

To promote a pleasant, safe and enjoyable beach experience, the Falmouth Heights-Maravista Neighborhood Association has, for years, requested that a beach monitor position be added. An ambassador of Falmouth. A mature individual with a Beach Monitor T-shirt and friendly Beach Monitor ball cap. Someone who walks the beach, netting the odd piece of trash, engaging with beachgoers and, if necessary, blowing the occasional whistle at the participants of activities more suitable for a playground or back yard.

FHMNA has repeatedly asked for a one-year beach monitor trial, and we have offered to pay the salary of this individual. Nationwide, hundreds of other beach departments have beach patrols and/or beach monitors, specifically purposed with ensuring comfort and safety of all beachgoers. Those in charge of our beaches have consistently refused.

The current policy of omission causes beachgoers to dodge footballs, watch out for Frisbees, breathe tobacco smoke and be displaced by the intoxicated.

This is an ongoing disservice to the thousands of beachgoing Falmouth residents and guests deserving of a pleasant, enjoyable and safe experience.

Howard B. Grosser, President, Falmouth Heights-Maravista Neighborhood Association

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Everyone Entitled To Pleasant Beaches - Letter - CapeNews.net

Four of Britain’s top 10 beaches are in Cornwall with two in one town – Cornwall Live

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Danzig

We all know Cornwall has the best beaches. Now it has scored no fewer than four of them out of the top 10 in the country after a new list was announced.

The travel website TripAdvisor has released the results of a survey. It ran a poll of people who use its site and out of the top 10, two were even in one Cornish town - St Ives.

There's even one that makes the grade in Devon.

Read more: 29 free things to do in Cornwall to entertain the family on a budget

Cornwall's entries are Fistral Beach in Newquay, Porthmeor and Porthminster Beach in St Ives and Perranporth Beach.

Here's the full list.

Woolacombe holds the 'England for Excellence Gold Award' for best family resort and was the winner of TripAdvisor's best beaches in Britain award for 2016.

The resort between Morte Point and Baggy Point has a three-mile stretch of golden sand is renowned for its cleanliness, water quality and local activities - including traditional family pubs.

Lifeguards ensure safe family swimming during the summer and surfers come from all over the country to enjoy the great waves and clean water.

Read more: The best mouthwatering Cornwall beach feasts and summer pop-up dining events

Weymouth Beach is also three miles long and just minutes from thetown centre and historic harbour.

There's plenty of entertainment to embrace from traditional attractions such as Punch & Judy and donkey rides, to lively events such as beach volleyball championships, live music and free summer firework displays.

You can also enjoy a stroll along the level promenade or on the sands with your dog during the quieter months, take part in the Christmas "Chase the Pudding" race or just relax in the sunshine on a summers day.

Read more: Man collects 35 bags of trash from Cornish beach and turns it into art display at museum

Head to beautiful St Brelade's Bay for classic Jersey sunbathing or explore a little further to discover your own sheltered hideaway at coves like Beauport and Portelet.

A real suntrap on the south coast, once you've trekked down the steep path from the car park and crossed the pebbles, you'll reach a sheltered south-facing beach with golden sand and shallow turquoise water, ideal for swimming.

Breathtaking Rhossili bay, with its three-mile sandy beach - are we sensing a theme here? - is overlooked by the Old Rectory, the most popular National Trust holiday cottage. Visible on the beach at low tide are the remains of the Helvetia, a ship wrecked in 1887.

From the top of Rhossili Down, the highest point on Gower, views of the peninsula can be seen as well as across the sea to West Wales, Lundy Island and the north Devon coast. The south Gower coast hosts many rare plants and birds including yellow whitlow grass and choughs.

Read more: Start a new life in Cornwall with these coastal commercial opportunities

St Ives is considered to be the 'jewel of the South West' and the sandy shoreline of Porthmeor is a haven for surfers and a firm favourite with families looking for a fun day out by the sea.

Situated in the shadow of the iconic Tate St Ives building, sandy Porthmeor is popular with surfers and swimmers alike in an ideal location just a stones' throw from the centre of St Ives where you'll find ancient pubs, trendy cafes and art galleries.

Fistral Beach in Newquay is one of the most visited surfing beaches in the UK and Europe.

Fistral is the perfect family beach offering simple pleasures of sea and surf combined with first class beach and seafront facilities - and a view to match. It is one of three gorgeous beaches in the town, whose shores have long been a Mecca for surfing.

Read more: Cornwall film fans to get unique chance to watch JAWS on the water at Penzance's Jubilee Pool

This crescent of golden sand, framed by a glittering bay, has glorious views across to Godrevy Lighthouse, and provided inspiration for Virginia Woolf's famous novel To the Lighthouse.

With the benefit of the mildest climate in the UK along with waving palm trees and translucent waters, there is a definite tropical feel to this gem.

Photo by Ross Hoddinott.

It's the golden beach staycationers rave about and billed as a great place for surfing, snorkelling, sailing and generally splashing around. Perranporth Beach is easily accessible which is ideal if you've got young ones in tow - just put down your beach towels and relax.

The famous beach bar, The Watering Hole, is the only one of its kind in the UK and serves snacks and drinks throughout the main holiday seasons.

Read more: These are the best beaches in Cornwall to enjoy a barbecue right now

Hengistbury Head is a relatively unspoilt and south-facing pebble beach in sunny Bournemouth, decorated with imposing clay and ironstone cliffs.

As well as a famed geological hotspot known for its archaeology, Henhistbury is also widely visited for its outstanding wildlife and grassland habitats.

Lukentyre sands is found on the west coast of South Harris in the Outer Hebrides.

One of the largest and most spectacular beaches on Harris, Lukentyre sands boasts miles of whilte sand and stunning green-blue water.

Stunning scenery includes wonderful sand dunes and the island of Taransay, famous for being the setting of the BBC's Castaway. Nearby activities include hillwalking, cycling and much more.

Read more: See all the latest Cornwall news here

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Four of Britain's top 10 beaches are in Cornwall with two in one town - Cornwall Live

Marin Voice: Keeping our state beaches clean and healthful – Marin Independent Journal

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Danzig

Cigarettes are one of the most common forms of litter on our beaches, a starter of major wildfires and a poison to our wildlife. However, in a state that raised the smoking age to 21 and has taken major steps to curb smoking, we still allow people to light up on beaches and in our state parks. Smoking is a dangerous habit that results in cancer and toxic pollution.

We have a duty to protect Californians visiting our parks and beaches from the health and environmental consequences of smoking.

The California Legislature has the opportunity to build upon its legacy of taking on Big Tobacco by approving my bill, AB 725, which will prohibit smoking on state beaches and in state parks. Californians are no strangers to the dangers of cigarettes and secondhand smoke.

We have some of the strongest anti-tobacco laws in the nation. In addition to legislative reforms, voters affirmed their stance in 2016 by approving a $2 per-pack tobacco tax increase.

Californias diverse ecosystem is a defining feature of our state. The state is home to abundant wildlife, fertile valleys, majestic peaks, expansive deserts and pristine beaches.

We have taken numerous steps to protect Californians and the environment we live in. We have moved to curb greenhouse gas emissions, nearly eliminate our use of coal and adopted environmental protections that exceed requirements of the federal government.

But there is more to do.

Recently released data from the 2017 International Coastal Cleanup identified cigarettes as the No. 1 litter item collected worldwide. Volunteers recovered over 1.8 million cigarettes, and almost 190,000 of these were collected in California alone. From 1989 to 2013, cigarettes accounted for 37.7 percent of all litter collected on annual coastal cleanup days.

Littered cigarettes on the beach and on park trails are more than just an unsightly nuisance.

While the dangers of secondhand smoke have been well documented, a 2007 study from Stanford University found that, depending on proximity and conditions, exposure to secondhand smoke in an outdoor setting may expose you to air pollution levels that are comparable, on average, to indoor levels.

Littered cigarettes also pose a substantial threat to wildlife and the environment. Burnt cigarettes contain over 4,000 chemicals, and about 50 of these chemicals are carcinogenic.

Cigarette filters never fully decompose and arent biodegradable, allowing them to exist for decades.

When discarded on the ground, toxic chemicals can leach from the cigarette into water and soil, acting as a source point of contamination. Cigarettes are commonly ingested by wildlife that mistake them for food, which can lead to an animal being choked, poisoned or killed.

In addition, cigarettes are one of the primary causes of wildfires, and were the cause of four of the 25 worst wildfires in California between 1929 and 1999. The recent historic drought has forced the state to reconsider how we prepare for and prevent wildfires. A prohibition on smoking in state parks will reduce the potential causes of wildfires, especially in areas with important historical, cultural or ecological value.

Last year, Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a similar measure. The veto message stated that the provisions were overly broad and punitive.

I have been working with the Department of Parks and Recreation and the governors office to craft a compromise solution that strikes an appropriate balance.

Californians deserve to enjoy outdoor recreation opportunities at our world-class parks and beaches without having to choke on secondhand smoke or dodge littered cigarettes. And, importantly, we can treat Mother Earth a whole lot better.

Marc Levine of Greenbrae has been Marins representative in the state Assembly since 2012. He is a Democrat.

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Marin Voice: Keeping our state beaches clean and healthful - Marin Independent Journal

8 of the most crowded US beaches and where to go instead – ABC News

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Danzig

You know the feeling: You have your towel, beach chair and sunglasses in tow, ready for a relaxing beach vacation, when you're met with hordes of tourists looking to do the same.

While some spots are worth braving crowds for, we're often looking to get some peace and quiet, where we can listen to the sound of waves crashing and not our neighbor's conversation or music.

Check out some of the most crowded beaches in the U.S. and where to go instead, so you can avoid fighting for a spot along the sand.

Of the over 15 million visitors that traveled to Miami in 2016, you can be sure a lot of them made their way to South Beach. The white sands, plethora of nearby bars and restaurants, and topless sunbathing are huge pros for many that flock here, but the loud music, abundance of space occupied by hotel loungers and overt party attitude don't exactly scream peaceful beach getaway.

Instead, you can head two-and-a-half hours north to Vero Beach, a small city with an upscale feel. There's a strict policy that no building can rise higher than four stories, leading to a far more charming feel than what's found in Miami. Sophisticated boutique shops, casual seafood dining, an art museum, botanical garden and a high number of turtle hatchings provide enough activity for the whole family.

Famous for its surfer-friendly waters, Huntington Beach in Orange County is one of the most-visited beaches in California, with 11 million visitors each year. Add in the 200,000 people that call the city home and those nearly 10 miles of sand can fill up quickly. Lots of stores and eateries -- including a Wal-Mart and several Trader Joe's -- make it convenient for families, but hotels are separated from the sand by the Pacific Coast Highway.

A smaller town with fewer tourists and hotels directly on the sand, Laguna Beach is a better option. The town of around 23,000 is very laid back, and it has an artistic vibe with its galleries, museums and theaters. Dining options range from fast-food joints to upscale eateries, and a Whole Foods and Ralph's make grocery shopping easy for travelers staying in apartment-style properties.

In recent years, Myrtle Beach has attracted a whopping 17 million visitors to its long stretch of sand. Family-friendly attractions like an amusement park, Ferris wheel, and Ripley's Believe It or Not! mean kids are never bored, but that also leads to tons of noisy activity that's less suitable for those without rambunctious little ones in tow. Lots of high-rise properties lining the sands aren't the most attractive surroundings.

Far less built-up is the tiny beachfront town of Litchfield, located a 40-minute drive south of Myrtle Beach. There's little more than peaceful sands, a few casual eateries and a nearby golf course for travelers.

Given its proximity to the airport, and calm stretch of golden sand, it's no surprise that Waikiki Beach is such a popular destination. But the widespread development of big-name chain hotels, abundance of fast-food eateries and well-known stores has rid the area of its local charm and replaced it with hordes of tourists. Although traveling families may love the home comforts, there are other O'ahu beaches that actually fit the paradise moniker.

Just a 30-minute drive from Honolulu International Airport, the tiny town of Kailua offers a more relaxing Hawaiian escape. The beach and turquoise waters here are drop-dead gorgeous, and a congregated area of restaurants and shops help it retain a less-touristy vibe. As of now, there aren't any mega chain properties here, and we for one hope that remains true.

Seeing around 8 million visitors each year, Ocean City has a similar allure as Myrtle Beach, with its lively boardwalk housing an amusement park, water park, mini-golf course and ample spots to grab a drink. The city manages to appeal both to fun-seeking families and party-focused adults, resulting in the wide stretches of beach being filled with sun-lovers.

A 30-minute drive north, and crossing the state line into Delaware, Bethany Beach is a quiet, laid-back town with a long and pretty stretch of sand. Though much smaller than Ocean City's, a boardwalk along the beach is pleasant for walking and ducking down side streets for quaint candy shops and frozen custard spots.

Particularly popular with college kids during spring break and families during the summer, Gulf Shores sees around 6 million tourists annually. Its long white-sand beach is undeniably lovely, but it can get crowded. Plus, an amusement park, zoo and chain eateries detract a bit from the pretty ocean setting.

About an hour-and-15-minute drive away, Pensacola Beach offers the same pretty sand and water, but with a less-developed atmosphere. That's not to say there aren't hotels, restaurant and bars, but it's a more subdued city that's suitable for couples and families on vacation. It sees fewer crowds than Gulf Shores, and hotels with beach setups are even quieter.

Thanks to its excellent location just north of Venice Beach and a roughly 35-minute drive from Los Angeles, Santa Monica gets about 7.5 million tourists each year. Somewhat surprisingly, 57 percent of those are international travelers -- with the largest percentage coming from Australia and New Zealand. Santa Monica's pier, amusement park, retail promenade and Muscle Beach mean there's a lot to do and see, but prepare to do so surrounded by lots of people.

A 90-minute drive up the coast, and 40 minutes south of Santa Barbara, Ventura offers some of the same attractions -- a lovely pier and beautiful beach -- plus a scenic bike path, parks for picnics and volleyball, and fewer people.

Once known as the spring break destination, Panama City Beach was practically synonymous with college-age partying; that is, up until 2015 when the city banned drinking on the beach and cut bar hours. Though the spring break crowds have dwindled in response (to the locals' delight), the city is still seeing about 2 million visitors each year thanks to theme and water parks, and well-known brands like Dave & Buster's and JCPenney.

For travelers looking for fewer shopping malls and amusement parks on vacation, head to the adorable town of Seaside an hour away. The walkable city is the epitome of cute beach town, with cute cafes, ice cream shops, and boutiques around a central square. A beautiful stretch of beach means you won't miss the sands found in Panama Beach.

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8 of the most crowded US beaches and where to go instead - ABC News

The best of the 1-star Yelp reviews of SF-area beaches – SFGate

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Danzig

Photo: CHRIS STEWART, SFC

Does anybody know if the ratchet-looking building is an ancient historical artifact?

CHINA BEACH "Yea, I get it. You might fancy the view of the Golden Gate Bridge if you're a tourist "

One star is too good for it.

Kids were playing in the sewage spilling onto the beach.

Packs of wild dogs and attack bats guarantee a horrible, horrible time.

Secluded Baker Beach in San Francisco also earns 4.5 out 5 Yelp stars. It's a popular place for photo shoots and fishermen. But the nudity offends some visitors.

Old, naked pot-bellied men doing "crazy hippy dances in the water" will photobomb your professional photo shoot.

The water is so boring. But the beach is great if you're into creepy old men.

The old, face-squatting man in the "small little gold speedo" ruined our class-cutting sunbathing.

Sand got in my mom's cute snacks!

Marshall's Beach is known for its glorious views of the Golden Gate Bridge, especially at sunset. But it's the beach's other views that irk some visitors.

OK, it's two stars not one, but we appreciate the snarkiness.

Beautiful, fun until the oral sex.

Often socked in by fog or buffeted by wind, San Francisco's Ocean Beach is rarely warm enough to allow sunbathing. Some beach-goers find that unacceptable.

Why can't it be more like Florida?!

The place to go for sand flying into your teeth and eyes.

What is it with beaches and their seaweed and driftwood?! Can you just have only sand like other beaches?

Thornton State Beach is currently closed, but it does offer an overlook.

Keep Bowser from eating the condoms. Got it. But "shady 49ers winnable thugzs"?

Waves at Pacifica's Linda Mar Beach (Pacifica State Beach) are generally smaller than at other beaches along the coast. Beginning surfers often work on their technique here.

Full of unsafe, disrespectful kooks surfing.

Rockaway Beach in Pacifica is bounded by cliffs at either end. Experienced surfers can be found catching waves at the southern end.

Your poor surfing skills are not welcome here.

Gray Whale Cove State Beach south of Pacifica can be surreal in the fog.

Who's the pervert here anyway?

U.S. 1 in Half Moon Bay takes you pass Roosevelt Beach, Dunes Beach, and Half Moon Bay State Beach.

There goes the kids, swept away by the undercurrent.

Half Moon Bay State Beach is a sprawling expanse of sand. The tides are notoriously dangerous here.

"Just another damn freakin' beach with sand and water." On the plus side, it has fancy recycling bins.

Poplar Beach in Half Moon Bay allows horses on the beach, which can be a good or bad thing, depending on your point of view.

Maybe horseback riders should carry poop bags?

POPLAR BEACH, HALF MOON BAY

Headless sea lions are ruining the beach for millennials.

POPLAR BEACH, HALF MOON BAY

Headless sea lions are ruining the beach for millennials.

Tunitas Creek Beach Overall, 3 out 5 Yelp stars.

Came for the beach, left for the ER.

Fined $400, plus covered with poison-oak rashes. So much for camping.

Sand spiders are not a real thing.

"About the sand spiders, I've never seen one." That's because they don't exist.

You couldn't pee because everything smelled like pee?

Some visitors to Tunitas Creek Beach which had numerous negative reviews fail to clean up after themselves.

The best of the 1-star Yelp reviews of SF-area beaches

Despite Northern California's foggy, wind-swept coast and its icy ocean water, its beaches generally get good reviews.

On Yelp, most San Francisco-area beaches score between four and five stars the equivalent of a rating of very good.

But not everyone agrees. As beautiful as the Pacific Ocean and the bay are, some beaches earned several one-star reviews the pits. We wondered what prompted reviewers to give them Yelp's lowest rating.

Lots of things, it turns out. Especially dirty bathrooms and naked old men.

THE OTHER PEBBLE BEACH: San Mateo County's unusual geologic formations (Video)

Click through the gallery above for the best of the one-star reviews of San Francisco and the Peninsula's ocean beaches.

Note: A couple of the haters have an ulterior motive. They're obviously hoping their bad review will keep people away so they'll have their beach to themselves. Sneaky!

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The best of the 1-star Yelp reviews of SF-area beaches - SFGate

Maybe Trump and Pence should steer clear of astronomy altogether – MSNBC

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Danzig

MSNBC

Maybe Trump and Pence should steer clear of astronomy altogether
MSNBC
A week later, the administration kept its focus on astronomy, dispatching Mike Pence to the Kennedy Space Center, where he was photographed putting his hand on equipment that featured a prominent sign that read, Critical Space Flight Hardware: Do Not ...

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Maybe Trump and Pence should steer clear of astronomy altogether - MSNBC

Talking against the textbook has become a crime: Harish Chandra Verma – Economic Times

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Danzig

By Vanita Srivastava

Last week, when Harish Chandra Verma announced that he was hanging up his boots, there was a flood of emotional reactions. Finally locked my IIT-K lab and submitted the keys to office . End of 38 years of formal teaching and research, tweeted Professor Verma, whose two-volume book Concepts of Physics is considered the holy book for IIT aspirants. The book celebrates its silver jubilee this year and has sold millions of copies. Verma is now focused on bringing out the Hindi version of the book, Bhautiki Ki Samajh. In an interview with Vanita Srivastava, Verma talks about the importance of teaching physics using natural ingredients and what ails Indian science. Edited excerpts:

On making physics a lifelong companion My actual romance with physics started during my BSc in 1970. Till high school, there was simply a desire to become a teacher in either science or mathematics. It was while studying in Class 12 at Patna Science College that a desire crystalised to take either physics or mathematics for future studies. I scored a distinction in physics and about 95% in maths and was planning to take up maths honours. But my professor Rajendra Sharma counselled and convinced me, saying that there was a lot of maths in physics but very little physics in maths. To savour both the worlds together, I chose physics. Since then, I have walked hand in hand with physics.

On the making of Concepts of Physics I finished my MSc and PhD from IITKanpur and decided to join Patna Science College as a physics lecturer. I had seen the book Fundamentals of Physics by Robert Resnick and David Halliday when I was doing my MSc and recommended this as the main textbook in my Plus-2 course. But soon I felt that students were not grasping the content. They were not able to solve problems and the overall outcome was not satisfactory.

Initially, I thought it was my fault, and I had to improve my teaching skills. Then I realised that the problem was somewhere else. Though the book was excellent, its cultural platform did not match the lifestyle of my students. Physics has a strong bonding with nature and must be delivered through this platform. At that time, there was no physics textbook which was as authentic as Fundamentals of Physics. There was also no book built around an average Indian lifestyle. This is how Concepts of Physics germinated.

On bringing out the Hindi version of Concepts of Physics For a long time, I had been getting requests from students of the Hindi belt to write a similar book in Hindi. Their demand was genuine and well meaning. So I decided to write the Hindi version. The book will be called Bhautiki ki Samajh and, though the problems will be more or less same, the text will be updated and reorganised. I hope to bring out the first volume by the end of this year.

On holding physics workshops for teachers in Jammu & Kashmir I did this project in 2016-17 under the banner of the Anveshika chapter of the Indian Association of Physics Teachers, for high school science teachers under the J&K government. Altogether my team organised 10 workshops in Jammu, 10 in Srinagar and 1 in Leh. During one of the workshops, there was a strike and we were somehow taken to the venue. After waiting for two hours, I was sure that no one would come. But all the participants came after walking around 6 km. I was so moved to see their enthusiasm. Also, while conducting one of the workshops, there was a terror strike at a CRPF camp close by. But we continued with our task of demystifying physics. The teachers were thrilled to see how physics could be taught using simple items like drinking straws, rubber bands and bottles. However, it is apparent that teachers of this region are not getting exposure to new teaching aids and methodologies despite so many government plans.

On what plagues Indian science The race to get good jobs. It is an irony that science is being studied with so much of stress. This does not empower our students in scientific thinking and skills. This leads to a drifting away from science and those who finally land up doing science are not experiencing the excitement of scientific innovations.

On ways to demystify physics All of nature is the laboratory of physics. Introduce physics with simple experiments and familiar materials. My slogan is Pehle Dikhao, Phir Sikhao (first show, then teach). Once you generate interest and curiosity, nothing is difficult.

On why many talented physicists are leaving India The research facilities are limited in India, especially for experimental physics. There are good success stories like our nuclear energy and space physics programmes. Our astrophysics programme, string theory research and many more are making an impact internationally, but much more has to be done. Most importantly, from the very beginning, children should be given the platform for innovation, thinking beyond the prescribed textbooks. In the present scenario, talking against the textbook is like committing a crime. Research is a culture and that has to be respected and inculcated.

On a career anecdote close to his heart When I was appointed as lecturer in Patna Science College, the head of my department asked me to teach the Special Theory of Relativity to BSc students after the vacation. I spent my summer at IITKanpur, where I was doing some research, preparing for my lectures. I used to make my friends sit for me and give them mock classes. I put in all my efforts to make my lectures interesting, lucid and simple. After the vacation, the HOD asked me if I had prepared well for the lectures on quantum mechanics. I was shocked and pleaded with him that he had assigned me relativity and not quantum mechanics. It did not work. But the moment I put chalk to the board, my tension subsided. In fact, my maiden lecture went extremely well.

On his plans post retirement I have been deeply involved in motivating physics teachers from schools and colleges. Content development and improvement of teaching skills have been going on for the past 15 years. We have about 700 short experiments that teachers can use. These range from 30 seconds to 2 minutes and dont cost much. I am also writing textbooks for BSc level. A book on electrodynamics is under preparation. I am also coming up with a special book Physics Through Stories. In this, famous Indian stories are used as a platform to learn physics. I will also work on more online courses.

On what he will miss after retirement The peacocks on the IIT-Kanpur campus. It is so beautiful to see dancing peacocks almost every other day.

The writer is a freelancer

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Talking against the textbook has become a crime: Harish Chandra Verma - Economic Times

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry – Philippine Star

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Danzig

Astrophysics has always fascinated me because it is the branch of science that deals with subjects that straddle scientific reality and science fiction. What is the origin of the universe? Is time travel possible? What are wormholes and black holes? What are dark matter and dark energy? Does the earth exist in a universe or is there something bigger like a multiverse?

But every time I read a scientific book on astrophysics, I have to spend most of my time consulting a dictionary and googling all those scientific terms I could never understand. Astrophysics is a branch of astronomy that uses a heavy dosage of chemistry and physics. For someone like me with whose educational background was focused on business and the social sciences, topics like quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism and nuclear physics are as alien as ancient languages. Finally, I discovered the first book on astrophysics that I was able to read from cover to cover.

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry By Neil Grasse Tysonis the best guide ever written for exploring these mind-expanding questions. In the books blurb the publishers wrote: While you wait for your morning coffee to brew, for the bus, the train, or a plane to arrive [the book] will reveal just what you need to be fluent and ready for the next cosmic headlines: from the Big Bang to black holes, from quarks to quantum mechanics, and from the search for planets to the search for life in the universe.

Neil Tyson, is an astrophysicist with the American Museum of Natural History , director of its world famous Hayden Planetarium, host of the hit radio and TV showStarTalk, and an award-winning author. In his preface, the author writes: If youre too busy to absorb the cosmos via classes, textbooks, or documentaries, and you nonetheless seek a brief but meaningful introduction to the field I offer you...In this slim volume you will earn a foundational fluency in all the major ideas and discoveries that drive our modern understanding of the universe. If Ive succeeded, youll be culturally conversant in my field of expertise and you just may be hungry for more.

The book is divided into 12 short chapters with intriguing titles. The first chapter is on the origin of the universe: TheGreatest Story Ever Told. After explaining the big bang as the beginning of the universe, Tyson asks: What happened before all this? What happened before the beginning?

The second chapter is on the universality of physical laws: On Earth as in the Heavens. One example is that no one can build a time machine ...that will enable you to go back to kill your mother before you were born it violates causality law. Chapter 3: Let There be Light is about the cosmic microwave background (CMB) and the speed of light.

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How empty is the countryside between cities?How void is the void in space? Chapter 4 Between the Galaxies is about hard-to-detect things that exist between the galaxies. Gravity is caused by something called dark matter. In Chapter 5 Tyson notes: At odds in the universe were two competing effects gravity wants to make stuff coagulate but the expansion wants to dilute it. Gravity from ordinary matter would not be enough for a perfect balance between the two forces. It needed the help of dark matter without which we would be living actually not living-in a universe with no structures, no clusters, no galaxies, no stars, no planets no people.

Chapter 6 is onDark Energy; and, Chapter 7 is called: The Cosmos on the Table which is about chemical elements in the universe. Apart from crystals and broken rocks, not much else in the cosmos naturally comes with sharp angles. In Chapter 8: On Being Round, Tyson notes that; While many objects have peculiar shapes, the list of round things is practically endless and ranges from simple soap bubbles to the entire observable universe...spheres are favoured by the action of simple physical laws.

Chapter 9: Invisible Light is about a form of light invisible to the human eye which led to the invention of Ultraviolet, gamma ray and X-ray telescopes empowering us to explore the universe for what it is rather than for what it seems to be. Chapter 10: Between the Planets examines all manner of chunky rocks, pebbles, ice balls, dust, streams of charged particles and far flung probes that exist in the space between the planets. Think of asteroids.

Chapter 11: Exoplanet Earth is about planets in the universe that circle the sun like the earth. Our galaxy the Milky Way contains a hundred billion stars and the known universe harbours some hundred billion galaxies. Like a scene from Star Trek, Tyson writes: Our search for life in the universe drives the search for exoplanets, some of which resembles Earth...Latest estimates extrapolating from the current catalogues, suggest as many as forty billion Earth-like planets in the Milky Way alone. Those are planets our descendants might want to visit someday day, by choice, if not by necessity.

In his final chapter 12: Reflections on the Cosmic Perspective, Tyson becomes more philosophical than scientific. He enumerates the eleven attributes of the cosmic perspective including one statement: The cosmic perspective is spiritual even redemptive but not religious.

Neil Tyson says that the universe is under no obligation to make sense to anybody. But for all those who are too busy to read fat books; yet, nonetheless seek a conduit to the cosmos,Astrophysics for People in a Hurryis a must read.

Young Writers Hangout for Kids & TeensonJuly 22, August 5 and August 19 (1:30-3pm/independent sessions).All sessions are at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street. For registration and fee details text 0917-6240196 or emailwritethingsph@gmail.com.

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Email: elfrencruz@gmail.com

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Astrophysics for People in a Hurry - Philippine Star

Who will be the 25th VC of Mysore Varsity? – Star of Mysore

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Danzig

Mysuru: Who will be the 25th Vice Chancellor of the century-old University of Mysore is a question that every academic and Mysurean is looking forward to. The wait is getting shorter, as the Search Committee headed by former VTU Vice Chancellor Prof H.P. Khincha and three other members, former Vice Chancellor of Gulbarga University Prof. V.B. Coutinho, UGC member Dr V.S. Chauhan and Central University Vice-Chancellor Prof H.M. Maheshwariah, met in Bengaluru on Thursday (July 6) to propose three names to the post of Vice Chancellor of University of Mysore.

According to sources, it is reliably learnt that the names of Bangalore University Physics Professor Sharath Ananthamurthy son of litterateur and Jnanpith awardee the late Dr. U.R. Ananthamurthy, Prof N.S. Ashok Kumar of Mass Communication and Journalism, Bangalore University and Prof R.K. Somashekar of Department of Environmental Science, Bangalore University have been proposed and sent to the Higher Education Department.

Prof. Sharat Ananthamurthy has a M.Sc in Physics from IIT Kanpur and a Ph.D in Atomic and Molecular Physics from University of Iowa. He has post-doctoral from Indian Institute of Science and Indian Institute Astrophysics and is the Visiting Professor, Imperial College, London. Prof Ashok Kumar is a Fulbright scholar who has his MA from the Department of Journalism, University of Mysore and was the Registrar (Evaluation) of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences. Prof. Somashekar was the former Registrar (Evaluation) of Bangalore University. Incidentally, all the three are from University of Mysore and now serving in Bangalore University.

However, the name of Prof C.P. Siddashrama from the Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies who was the acting Vice-Chancellor of University of Mysore is also doing the rounds. But as the Search Committee can only recommend three names, who is the person that is left out is not clearly known.

READ ALSO UoM to take back Maharaja's College Ground from KSCA?

Higher Education Minister Basavaraja Rayareddy is abroad and he will return on Monday. Only after he comes the file will be forwarded to the Chief Minister and to Reddy. The Governors assent is required and it remains to be seen if he has a candidate of his choice among the three or he will go with the recommendation made by the government.

We are all eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new Vice-Chancellor and whoever comes, should straight away get into the system and start working in the interest of the University without any personal agendas, said a Professor who wished to remain anonymous and added, It will always be good for the University if a person with a clean image is appointed.

The Vice-Chancellors post has been lying vacant since Prof K.S. Rangappa completed his term on January 10, this year. Prof Yashwant Dongre was in-charge for six weeks and from February 20, Prof Dayanand Mane is officiating as the in-charge VC.

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Who will be the 25th VC of Mysore Varsity? - Star of Mysore

Why artificial intelligence is far too human – The Boston Globe

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Danzig

LUCY NALAND FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

Have you ever wondered how the Waze app knows shortcuts in your neighborhood better than you? Its because Waze acts like a superhuman air traffic controller it measures distance and traffic patterns, it listens to feedback from drivers, and it compiles massive data set to get you to your location as quickly as possible.

Even as we grow more reliant on these kinds of innovations, we still want assurances that were in charge, because we still believe our humanity elevates us above computers. Movies such as 2001: A Space Odyssey and the Terminator franchise teach us to fear computers programmed without any understanding of humanity; when a human sobs, Arnold Schwarzeneggers robotic character asks, Whats wrong with your eyes? They always end with the machines turning on their makers.

What most people dont know is that artificial intelligence ethicists worry the opposite is happening: We are putting too much of ourselves, not too little, into the decision-making machines of our future.

God created humans in his own image, if you believe the scriptures. Now humans are hard at work scripting artificial intelligence in much the same way in their own image. Indeed, todays AI can be just as biased and imperfect as the humans who engineer it. Perhaps even more so.

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We already assign responsibility to artificial intelligence programs more widely than is commonly understood. People are diagnosed with diseases, kept in prison, hired for jobs, extended housing loans, and placed on terrorist watch lists, in part or in full, as a result of, AI programs weve empowered to decide for us. Sure, humans might have the final word. But computers can control how the evidence is weighed.

And and no one has asked you what you want.

That was by design. Automation was done in part to remove human bias from the equation. So why does a computer algorithm reviewing bank loans exhibit racial prejudice against applicants?

It turns out that algorithms, which are the building blocks of AI acquire bias the same way that humans do through instruction. In other words, theyve got to be taught.

Computer models can learn by analyzing data sets for relationships. For example, if you want to train a computer to understand how words relate to each other, you can upload the entire English-langugage Web and let the machine assign relational values to words based on how often they appear next to other words; the closer together, the greater the value. In this pattern recognition, the computer begins to paint a picture of what words mean.

Teaching computers to think keeps getting easier. But theres a serious miseducation problem as well. While humans can be taught to differentiate between implicit and explicit bias, and recognize both in themselves, a machine simply follows a series of if-then statements. When those instructions reflect the biases and dubious assumptions of their creators, a computer will execute them faithfully while still looking superficially neutral. What we have to stop doing is assuming things are objective and start assuming things are biased. Because thats what our actual evidence has been so far, says Cathy ONeil, data scientist and author of the recent book Weapons of Math Destruction.

As with humans, bias starts with the building blocks of socialization: language. The magazine Science recently reported on a study showing that implicit associations including prejudices are communicated through our language. Language necessarily contains human biases, and the paradigm of training machine learning on language corpora means that AI will inevitably imbibe these biases as well, writes Arvind Narayanan, co-author of the study.

The scientists found that words like flower are more closely associated with pleasantness than insect. Female words were more closely associated with the home and arts than with career, math, and science. Likewise, African-American names were more frequently associated with unpleasant terms than names more common among white people were.

This becomes an issue when job recruiting programs trained on language sets like this are used to select resumes for interviews. If the program associates African-American names with unpleasant characteristics, its algorithmic training will be more likely to select European named candidates. Likewise, if the job-recruiting AI is told to search for strong leaders, it will be less likely to select women, because their names are associated with homemaking and mothering.

The scientists took their findings a step farther and found a 90 percent correlation between how feminine or masculine the job title ranked in their word-embedding research and the actual number of men versus women employed in 50 different professions according to Department Labor statistics. The biases expressed in language directly relates to the roles we play in life.

AI is just an extension of our culture, says co-author Joanna Bryson, a computer scientist at the University of Bath in the United Kingdom and Princeton University. Its not that robots are evil. Its that the robots are just us.

Even AI giants like Google cant escape the impact of bias. In 2015, the companys facial recognition software tagged dark skinned people as gorillas. Executives at FaceApp, a photo editing program, recently apologized for building an algorithm that whitened the users skin in their pictures. The company had dubbed it the hotness filter.

In these cases, the error grew from data sets that didnt have enough dark-skinned people, which limited the machines ability to learn variation within darker skin tones. Typically, a programmer instructs a machine with a series of commands, and the computer follows along. But if the programmer tests the design on his peer group, coworkers, and family, hes limited what the machine can learn and imbues it with whichever biases shape his own life.

Photo apps are one thing, but when their foundational algorithms creep into other areas of human interaction, the impacts can be as profound as they are lasting.

The faces of one in two adult Americans have been processed through facial recognition software. Law enforcement agencies across the country are using this gathered data with little oversight. Commercial facial-recognition algorithms have generally done a better job of telling white men apart than they do with women and people of other races, and law enforcement agencies offer few details indicating that their systems work substantially better. Our justice system has not decided if these sweeping programs constitute a search, which would restrict them under the Fourth Amendment. Law enforcement may end up making life-altering decisions based on biased investigatory tools with minimal safeguards.

Meanwhile, judges in almost every state are using algorithms to assist in decisions about bail, probation, sentencing, and parole. Massachusetts was sued several years ago because an algorithm it uses to predict recidivism among sex offenders didnt consider a convicts gender. Since women are less likely to reoffend, an algorithm that did not consider gender likely overestimated recidivism by female sex offenders. The intent of the scores was to replace human bias and increase efficiency in an overburdened judicial system. But, as mathematician Julia Angwin reported in ProPublica, these algorithms are using biased questionnaires to come to their determinations and yielding flawed results.

A ProPublica study of the recidivism algorithm used in Fort Lauderdale found that 23.5 percent of white men were labeled as being at an elevated risk for getting into trouble again, but didnt re-offend. Meanwhile, 44.9 percent of black men were labeled higher risk for future offenses, but didnt re-offend, showing how these scores are inaccurate and favor white men.

While the questionnaires dont ask specifically about skin color, data scientists say they back into race by asking questions like: When was your first encounter with police?

The assumption is that someone who comes in contact with police as a young teenager is more prone to criminal activity than someone who doesnt. But this hypothesis doesnt take into consideration that policing practices vary and therefore so does the polices interaction with youth. If someone lives in an area where the police routinely stop and frisk people, he will be statistically more likely to have had an early encounter with the police. Stop-and-frisk is more common in urban areas where African-Americans are more likely to live than whites.This measure doesnt calculate guilt or criminal tendencies, but becomes a penalty when AI calculates risk. In this example, the AI is not just computing for the individuals behavior, it is also considering the polices behavior.

Ive talked to prosecutors who say, Well, its actually really handy to have these risk scores because you dont have to take responsibility if someone gets out on bail and they shoot someone. Its the machine, right? says Joi Ito, director of the Media Lab at MIT.

Its even easier to blame a computer when the guts of the machine are trade secrets. Building algorithms is big business, and suppliers guard their intellectual property tightly. Even when these algorithms are used in the public sphere, their inner workings are seldom open for inspection. Unlike humans, these machine algorithms are much harder to interrogate because you dont actually know what they know, Ito says.

Whether such a process is fair is difficult to discern if a defendant doesnt know what went into the algorithm. With little transparency, there is limited ability to appeal the computers conclusions. The worst thing is the algorithms where we dont really even know what theyve done and theyre just selling it to police and theyre claiming its effective, says Bryson, co-author of the word embedding study.

Most mathematicians understand that the algorithms should improve over time. As theyre updated, they learn more if theyre presented with the right data. In the end, the relatively few people who manage these algorithms have an enormous impact on the future. They control the decisions about who gets a loan, who gets a job, and, in turn, who can move up in society. And yet from the outside, the formulas that determine the trajectories of so many lives remain as inscrutable as the will of the divine.

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Why artificial intelligence is far too human - The Boston Globe

Karandish: Problems Artificial Intelligence must overcome – St. Louis Business Journal

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Danzig

St. Louis Business Journal

Karandish: Problems Artificial Intelligence must overcome
St. Louis Business Journal
It's graduation season, and Bill Gates recently said that Artificial Intelligence is among the top fields for 2017 graduates to enter. A quorum of business leaders and executives have echoed these sentiments. What problems and issues will these recent ...

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Karandish: Problems Artificial Intelligence must overcome - St. Louis Business Journal

Shogi: A measure of artificial intelligence – The Japan Times

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Danzig

Though last Sundays Tokyo assembly elections garnered the most media attention, another contest came in a close second, even if only two people were involved. Fourteen-year-old Sota Fujiis record-setting winning streak of 29 games of shogi was finally broken on July 2 when he lost a match to 22-year-old Yuki Sasaki.

Fujii has turned into a media superstar in the past year because of his youth and exceptional ability in a game that non-enthusiasts may find too cerebral to appreciate. The speed of Fujiis ascension to headline status has been purposely accelerated by the media, which treats him as not just a prodigy, but as the vanguard figure of a pastime in which the media has a stake.

Press photos of Fujiis matches show enormous assemblies of reporters, video crews and photographers hovering over the kneeling opponents. Such attention may seem ridiculous to some people owing to the solemnity surrounding shogi, which is played much like chess, but if Fujii succeeds in attracting new fans, then the media is all for it.

Thats because all the national dailies and some broadcasters cover shogi regularly and in detail. In fact, most major shogi tournaments are sponsored by media outlets. The Ryuo Sen championship, toward which Fujii was aiming when he lost last week, is the biggest in terms of prize money, and is sponsored by the Yomiuri Shimbun. NHK also has a tournament and airs a popular shogi instructional program several times a week.

The Fujii fuss, however, is about more than his prodigal skills. Fujii ushers an old game with a stuffy image into the present by accommodating the 21st centurys most fickle god: artificial intelligence. Much has been made in the past few weeks of Fujiis style of play, which is described as being counter-intuitive and abnormally aggressive. What almost all the critics agree on is that he honed this style through self-training that involved the use of dedicated shogi software incorporating AI.

But before Fujiis revolutionary strategic merits could be celebrated, AI needed to be accepted, and a scandal last July put such technology into focus. One of the top players in the game, Hiroyuki Miura, was accused by his opponent of cheating after he won a match. Miura repeatedly left the room during play and was suspected of consulting his phone when he did so. The Japan Shogi Association (JSA) suspended him as they investigated the charges.

As outlined by Toru Takeda in the Nov. 22 online version of Asahi Shimbun, the JSA checked the moves Miura had made in previous games against moves made by popular shogi software to see if there was a pattern. In four of his victories there was a 90 percent rate of coincidence. Miuras smartphone was also checked by a third party, which found no shogi app. Moreover, there was no communications activity recorded for the phone on the day of the contested match because it had been shut off the whole time.

Miura was officially exonerated on May 24, at the height of the medias Sota fever, but that doesnt mean Miura was not using shogi software to change his game strategy. In November last year, Takeda theorized that, given the prevalence of the software and the amount of progress programmers had made in improving its AI functions, its impossible to believe that there is a professional shogi player who has not yet taken advantage of the technology. Miura, he surmised, had become what chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov once called a centaur half man, half computerized beast. By studying the way shogi programs played, Miura had likely appropriated the AI functions own learning curve. He didnt have to check the software to determine moves it was already in his nervous system. Miura is, in fact, one of the pros who battled computerized shogi programs in past years. In 2013, he played against shogi software developed by the University of Tokyo and lost.

The evolution of shogi software was covered in a recent NHK documentary about AI. Amahiko Sato, one of the games highest ranked players, has played the shogi robot Ponanza several times without a victory. The robots programmer told NHK that he input 20 years of moves by various professionals into the program and it has since been playing itself. Since computers decide at a speed that is exponentially faster than humans, the software has played itself about 7 million times, learning more with each game.

Its like using a shovel to compete with a bulldozer, Yoshiharu Habu, Japans top shogi player, commented to NHK after describing Ponanzas moves as unbelievable.

Fujii is simply the human manifestation of this evolution, and whats disconcerting for the shogi establishment is that he didnt reach that position because of a mentor. As with most skills in Japan, shogi hopefuls usually learn by sitting at the feet of masters and copying their technique in a rote fashion until theyve developed it into something successful and idiosyncratic. Fujii leapfrogged the mentor phase thanks to shogi software.

An article in the June 27 Asahi Shimbun identified Shota Chida as the player who turned Fujii on to AI a year ago, just before Fujii turned pro. On the NHK program Habu noticed something significant as a result: Fujiis moves became faster and more decisive. He achieved victory with fewer moves by abandoning the conventional strategy of building a defense before going on the offensive. Fujii constantly looks for openings in his opponents game and immediately strikes when he sees one, which is the main characteristic of AI shogi.

Fujiis defeat obviously means that his type of play is no longer confounding. Masataka Sugimoto, his shogi teacher, told Tokyo Shimbun that he doesnt think Fujii uses software as a weapon, since he now faces players who also practiced with AI. But that doesnt mean his game play hasnt been changed by AI. Before the Miura scandal, pros who used software were considered the board-game equivalents of athletes who took performance-enhancing drugs. Now theyre the norm, and the media couldnt be happier.

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Shogi: A measure of artificial intelligence - The Japan Times

In Edmonton, companies find a humble hub for artificial intelligence – CBC.ca

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Danzig

There's a hall of champions at the University of Alberta that only computer science students know where to find more of a hallway, really, one office after the next, the achievements archived on hard drives and written in code.

It's there you'll find the professors who solved the game of checkers, beat a top human player in the game of Goand used cutting-edge artificial intelligence to outsmart a handful of professional poker players for the very first time.

But latelyit's Richard Sutton who is catching people's attention on the Edmonton campus.

He's a pioneer in a branch of artificial intelligence research known as reinforcement learning the computer science equivalent of treat-training a dog, except in this case the dog is an algorithm that's been incentivized to behave in a certain way.

U of A computing science professors and artificial intelligence researchers (left to right) Richard Sutton, Michael Bowling and Patrick Pilarski are working with Google's DeepMind to open the AI company's first research lab outside the U.K., in Edmonton. (John Ulan/University of Alberta)

It's a problem that's preoccupied Sutton for decades, one on which he literally wrote the book, and it's this wealth of experience that's brought a growing number of the tech industry's AI labs right to his doorstep.

Last week, Google's AI subsidiary DeepMind announced it was opening its first international office in Edmonton, where Sutton alongside professors Michael Bowling and Patrick Pilarski will work part-time. And earlier in the year, the research arm of the Royal Bank of Canada announced it was also opening an office in the city, where Sutton also will advise.

Dr. Jonathan Schaeffer, dean of the school's faculty of science, says there are more announcements to come.

Edmonton which Schaeffer describes as "just off the beaten path" has not experienced the same frenzied pace of investment as cities like Toronto and Montreal, nor are tech companies opening offices or acquiring startups there with the same fervour. But the city and the university in particular has been a hotbed for world-class artificial intelligence research longer than outsiders might realize.

Those efforts date all the way back to the 1980s, when some of the school's researchers first entertained the notion of building a computer program that could play chess.

The faculty came together "organically" over the years, Shaeffer says. "It wasn't like there was a deliberate, brilliant strategy to build a strong group here."

While artificial intelligence is linked nowadays with advances in virtual assistants, robotics and self-driving vehicles, students and faculty at the university have spent decades working on one of the field's oldest challenges: games.

In 2007, Schaeffer and his team solved the game of checkers with a program they developed named Chinook, finishing a project that began nearly 20 years earlier.

In 2010, researcher Martin Muller and his colleagues detailed their work on Fuego then one of the world's most advanced computer programs capable of playing Go. The ancient Chinese game is notoriously difficult, owing to the incredible number of possible moves a computer has to evaluate, but Fuego managed to beat a top professional on a smaller version of the game's board.

Fans of the 3,000-year-old Chinese board game Go watch a showdown between South Korean Go grandmaster Lee Sedol and the Google-developed supercomputer AlphaGo, in Seoul, March 9, 2016. (Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Images)

And earlier this year, a team led by Bowling presented DeepStack, a poker-playing program they taught to bluff and learn from its previously played games. DeepStack beat 11 professional poker players, one of two academic teams to recently take on the task and a feat the school's Computer Poker Research Group has been working on since its founding in 1996.

David Churchill an assistant professor at Memorial University in Newfoundland and formerly a PhD student at the U of A says that games are particularly well suited to artificial intelligence research, in part because they have well-defined rules, a clear goal and no shortage of human players to evaluate a program's progress and skill.

"We're not necessarily playing games for the sake of games," says Churchill who spent his PhD teaching computers to play the popular real-time strategy video game StarCraft but rather "using games as a test bed" to make artificial intelligence better.

The school's researchers haven't solely been focused on games, Schaeffer says even if those are the projects that get the most press. He points to a professor named Russ Greiner, who has been using AI to more accurately identify brain tumours in MRI scans, and Pilarski, who has been working on algorithms that make it easier for amputees to control their prosthetic limbs.

But it is Sutton's work on reinforcement learning that has the greatest potential to turn the city into Canada's next budding AI research hub.

Montreal and Toronto have received the bulk of attention in recent years, thanks to the rise of a particular branch of artificial intelligence research known as deep learning. Pioneered by the University of Toronto's Geoffrey Hinton, and the Montreal Institute for Learning Algorithms' Yoshua Bengio, among others, the technique has transformed everything from speech recognition to the development of self-driving cars.

But reinforcement learning which some say is complementary to deep learning is now getting its fair share of attention too.

Carnegie Mellon used the technique this year in its poker-playing program Libratus, which beat one of the best players in the world. Apple's director of artificial intelligence, Ruslan Salakhutdinov, has called it an "exciting area of research" that he believes could help solve challenging problems in robotics and self-driving cars.

And most famously, DeepMind relied on reinforcement learning and the handful of U of A graduates it hired to develop AlphaGo, the AI that beat Go grandmaster Lee Sedol.

"We don't seek the spotlight," says Schaeffer. "We're very proud of what we've done. We don't necessarily toot our own horn as much as other people do."

In Edmonton, companies find a humble hub for artificial intelligence - CBC.ca

Taking Flight: Ohio Valley’s Aerospace Exports Take Top Dollars … – WOUB

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Danzig

Taking Flight: Ohio Valleys Aerospace Exports Take Top Dollars

By: Becca Schimmel/ Ohio Valley ReSource Posted on: Friday, July 7, 2017

From the outside Summit Aviation, in the small town of Somerset, Kentucky, looks like any other nondescript, white warehouse. But inside workers craft parts for drones, weapons casings, wing stabilizers and other high-flying products.

Summit is one of many small manufacturers making up the growing aerospace industry in the Ohio Valley. Highly specialized companies are landing in Kentucky and Ohio for the proximity to important raw materials and the promise of some political sway.

Aerospace and aviation have a long history in the region Ohio gave us the Wright Brothers, after all. A lot has changed since the two decided theyd find a way to fly. Now aerospace products are among the regions top-dollar exports.

Aircraft and their parts are now Ohios second-highest value exports. In Kentucky, aerospace products are at the top of the export value list, exceeding other manufactured goods and traditional commodities such as coal and agricultural exports.

Scott Roush, director of manufacturing at Summit, said there are a couple of reasons for locating in a rural part of Kentucky. One is that its in Congressman Hal Rogers district.

Were here and there are a number of other defense contractors here because of the congressmen, said Roush.

Rogers represents eastern Kentuckys 5th district and serves on powerful defense and spending committees. Roush said the congressman approached Sikorsky a decade ago and asked the company to put work in Somerset. He said that connection has helped Summit get its foot in the door.

So when we go and say, Were Summit Aviation with 50 employees, and youre going in to meet with a billion-dollar corporation, they may not take you seriously unless you have that extra push to say, Hey, at least let these people in and let them show you what they can do, Roush said.

In an emailed statement Rogers said, bringing new industry to southern and eastern Kentucky has been a top priority.

Summit is whats known as a build-to-print facility. Clients send blueprints and the company builds according to those plans. Many of Summits products, such as wing stabilizers, are sent to legendary helicopter makers Sikorsky, and could later become part of one of the Armys Black Hawk helicopters. About 70 percent of the work at Summit is for defense contracts and Roush said that makes the supply chain important.

Especially on the defense side there are specific limitations to where you can get, what countries you can get raw materials from, Roush said.

Defense contractors must comply with laws specifying that material for military contracts be sourced domestically.

That highlights another one of the regions strong selling points: Century Aluminum in Hawesville, Kentucky. Century is just 166 miles northwest of Somerset and is home to the countrys last smelter producing high-purity aluminum, which is used for many aerospace products.

It makes sense for the smelting operation to be reasonably close to one of their major customers, said Dan Stohr, communications director for the Aerospace Industries Association.

Stohr said about 90 percent of exports in the aerospace industry are for commercial aircraft. Most parts for defense contracts stay in the country. He said once a part is made, the same company will often also provide most maintenance, generating more revenue for the manufacturer.

Its cheaper and easier for a major company to buy those finished products as opposed to finishing them, themselves. And so from an economic standpoint these small shops provide an invaluable service, Stohr said.

Stohr said this industry also provides a lot of high-skill, quality jobsabout 2.4 million nationwide.

But the regions dependence on smaller companies could also have some downsides. Mike Shields is a workforce researcher at Policy Matters Ohio, a nonprofit, labor-leaning research institute. He said hes skeptical about the quality of the jobs in the regions aerospace sector.

People who are in the same type of job are oftentimes not earning as high of wages and are not experiencing the same job quality in some of these smaller firms than they do in a comparable role in a well-recognized firm, Shields said.

Shields said traditionally manufacturing jobs are stable high-paying jobs, but that isnt necessarily a given anymore. Hes also concerned about how successful the aerospace industry can be in the long run if its made up of small businesses.

Its harder for them to be profitable, Shields said. He explained that smaller companies making interchangeable component parts are easily undercut by competitors. He said a companys products must be unique in order to stand out in the supply network.

On the manufacturing floor of Summit Aviation, workers check off on each step of their work on the various projects going on. These days theres another element in the industrys political picture: a new President who wants to beef up defense and domestic aluminum production.

The perception is that a Republican-led government will lead to more defense spending. But I dont think weve seen the effect of that, Roush said.

Roush said its too early to tell if his industry will hit new heights, but talk of increased spending, proximity to materials, and being in a political players back yard doesnt hurt their chances.

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Taking Flight: Ohio Valley's Aerospace Exports Take Top Dollars ... - WOUB

San Antonio’s aerospace industry ‘bullish’ on Trump – San Antonio … – mySanAntonio.com

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Danzig

Photo: John Davenport /San Antonio Express-News

Doug Carlberg, president and CEO of M2 Global, says while defense contracts have helped save his company sequestration cutbacks during the Obama administration threatened his business.

M2 Global Technologies employees Jerry Perez (left) and Rodney Taylor (right) work on a helicopter part. The company employs 49 people and produces many parts for the Department of Defense.

Some of the parts that M2 Global produces are displayed. The company makes hundreds of precision parts for the state-of-the-art F-35, the F-16, the F-22, the C-130 and other aircraft.

StandardAero employees Rick Timchuk (left) and Ernie Valdez (right) inspect a C-130 engine at the companys San Antonio maintenance facility.

StandardAeros San Antonio location is one of dozens of aerospace companies that the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation estimates employ more than 13,000 people in and around the city.

Scott Gray, president of Elevate Systems, uses 3-D analysis and printing to recreate and improve military parts that are no longer manufactured.

Elevate Systems has reversed engineered an impeller, part of the B-52s radar motor, for a replacement at a lower cost. The original is at the bottom.

3-D printers at Elevate Systems work building parts. The company contracts out much of its manufacturing, focusing on reverse engineering, designing and testing.

San Antonios aerospace industry bullish on Trump

San Antonios deep military roots and Doug Carlbergs service in the Army made defense contracting a natural transition for the local engineer when his company, which made specialty electronic parts for commercial aircraft, started losing business to China more than a dozen years ago.

M2 Global Technology started making a simple flat, slim wing shim, which makes up the leading edge of an F-16 fighter jets wing. It now makes hundreds of precision parts for the state-of-the-art F-35, along with parts for the F-16, F-22, C-130 and other aircraft.

Carlberg runs one of dozens of aerospace companies that the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation estimates employ more than 13,000 people in and around San Antonio. M2 Global has a 30,000-square-foot office and manufacturing facility, and a staff of 49. Its just one of the 1,300 aerospace and aviation companies that employs more than 135,000 people across Texas, one of the industrys largest workforces in the U.S., according to a 2017 report from Gov. Greg Abbotts office.

San Antonio recently trademarked the moniker Military City, USA and for good reason. Its home to the Armys Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston and JBSA-Camp Bullis, and the Air Forces JBSA-Lackland and JBSA-Randolph.

Since the closing of Kelly AFB under the base realignment and closure process that was completed in 1998, San Antonio has tried to find ways to create new opportunities for the thousands of local residents who had been employed at the sprawling miliary installation.

While some of the facility is still under military control, 1,900 acres were converted into Port San Antonio, which is home to one of Boeing Corp.s largest maintenance facilities responsible for servicing Air Force One. Rene Dominguez, the director of economic development for San Antonio, said that military work is still extremely important for the port while it also tries to expand its commercial workload.

I know that weve been working pretty aggressively, because (aerospace) is one of our target industries, on growing that industry, and weve built a lot of infrastructure around that growth, like workforce training, enhancements to the port, Dominguez said.

President Donald Trumps emphasis on bolstering military spending could help San Antonio because were well positioned to absorb more DOD and military work, Dominguez said.

The companies that stand to benefit include StandardAero, Lockheed Martin and other major defense contractors that maintain large operations at the port providing a draw and ready market for smaller manufacturers such as M2 Global and Elevate Systems.

Keeping Air Force planes in the air is Scott and Maricela Grays job at their four-person company, Elevate Systems. Based on the North Side, the Grays use 3-D design technology to reverse engineer old military airplane parts whose designs and drawings have been lost to time. One of their first pieces was an impeller fan that cools radar equipment on the massive B-52 bomber.

They (the Air Force) have no drawings, they have no data, they have no way to get any of this stuff, Scott Gray said of the fans, which date back to the 1950s.

Elevate Systems was asked to reverse engineer the impeller so that then the Air Force from this point forward could support it organically, Gray said.

Using their designs, Gray said he was able to take a part that would cost $10,000 from the original manufacturer to a $300 3-D-printed impeller that was more efficient.

Weve become known as the guys you go to when you cant buy parts, pieces, components, said Gray, who added that Elevate Systems work includes maintenance for military helicopters.

Their work, and survival, obviously relies heavily on DOD spending.

In June, Lockheed Martin announced it was cutting its San Antonio workforce by half and transferring space, workers and jobs over to StandardAero, including work on F-16 and U-2 spy plane engines. Lockheed cut the work after a smaller contractor protested its contract for engine maintenance work on the KC-10 air refueler.

Years of uncertainty and defense budget cuts under the Obama administration made the business a risky one that contractors hope will change under Trump. Carlberg said his business was at risk of closing. Now under the Trump administration, he and his industry feel the wind at their back.

Were pretty bullish, said Carlberg, a Vietnam-era Army veteran who used to be a maintenance officer and helicopter pilot. If it wasnt for the election, we were very concerned that they would continue to really squeeze the defense budget.

rdruzin@express-news.net

@druz_journo

San Antonio's aerospace industry 'bullish' on Trump - San Antonio ... - mySanAntonio.com

Exclusive: Aerospace center led by prominent leader under new management – Dayton Business Journal

Posted on July 8, 2017 by Danzig

Dayton Business Journal

Exclusive: Aerospace center led by prominent leader under new management
Dayton Business Journal
... Aerospace Professional Development Center and Enlarge. The Southwest Ohio Council for Higher Education has taken over the Aerospace Professional more. An aerospace center with a prominent Dayton leader at the help is under new management.

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Exclusive: Aerospace center led by prominent leader under new management - Dayton Business Journal

Healthcare Nanotechnology (Nanomedicine) Market Expected to Generate Huge Profits by 2015 2021: Persistence … – MilTech

Posted on July 7, 2017 by ev1

Nanotechnology is one of the most promising technologies in 21st century. Nanotechnology is a term used when technological developments occur at 0.1 to 100 nm scale. Nano medicine is a branch of nanotechnology which involves medicine development at molecular scale for diagnosis, prevention, treatment of diseases and even regeneration of tissues and organs. Thus it helps to preserve and improve human health. Nanomedicine offers an impressive solution for various life threatening diseases such as cancer, Parkinson, Alzheimer, diabetes, orthopedic problems, diseases related to blood, lungs, neurological, and cardiovascular system.

Development of a new nenomedicine takes several years which are based on various technologies such as dendrimers, micelles, nanocrystals, fullerenes, virosome nanoparticles, nanopores, liposomes, nanorods, nanoemulsions, quantum dots, and nanorobots.

In the field of diagnosis, nanotechnology based methods are more precise, reliable and require minimum amount of biological sample which avoid considerable reduction in consumption of reagents and disposables. Apart from diagnosis, nanotechnology is more widely used in drug delivery purpose due to nanoscale particles with larger surface to volume ratio than micro and macro size particle responsible for higher drug loading. Nano size products allow to enter into body cavities for diagnosis or treatment with minimum invasiveness and increased bioavailability. This will not only improve the efficacy of treatment and diagnosis, but also reduces the side effects of drugs in case of targeted therapy.

Global nanomedicine market is majorly segmented on the basis of applications in medicines, targeted disease and geography. Applications segment includes drug delivery (carrier), drugs, biomaterials, active implant, in-vitro diagnostic, and in-vivo imaging. Global nanomedicine divided on the basis of targeted diseases or disorders in following segment: neurology, cardiovascular, oncology, anti-inflammatory, anti-infective and others. Geographically, nanomedicine market is classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and MEA. Considering nanomedicine market by application, drug delivery contribute higher followed by in-vitro diagnostics. Global nanomedicine market was dominated by oncology segment in 2012 due to ability of nanomedicine to cross body barriers and targeted to tumors specifically however cardiovascular nanomedicine market is fastest growing segment. Geographically, North America dominated the market in 2013 and is expected to maintain its position in the near future. Asia Pacific market is anticipated to grow at faster rate due to rapid increase in geriatric population and rising awareness regarding health care. Europe is expected to grow at faster rate than North America due to extensive product pipeline portfolio and constantly improving regulatory framework.

A Sample of this Report is Available Upon Request @http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/6370

Major drivers for nanomedicine market include improved regulatory framework, increasing technological know-how and research funding, rising government support and continuous increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, kidney disorder, and orthopedic diseases. Some other driving factors include rising number of geriatric population, awareness of nanomedicine application and presence of high unmet medical needs. Growing demand of nanomedicines from the end users is expected to drive the market in the forecast period. However, market entry of new companies is expected to bridge the gap between supply and demand of nanomedicines. Above mentioned drivers currently outweigh the risk associated with nanomedicines such as toxicity and high cost. At present, cancer is one of the major targeted areas in which nanomedicines have made contribution. Doxil, Depocyt, Abraxane, Oncospar, and Neulasta are some of the examples of pharmaceuticals formulated using nanotechnology.

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Key players in the global nanomedicine market include: Abbott Laboratories, CombiMatrix Corporation, GE Healthcare, Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Mallinckrodt plc, Merck & Company, Inc., Nanosphere, Inc., Pfizer, Inc., Celgene Corporation, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., and UCB (Union chimique belge) S.A.

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Healthcare Nanotechnology (Nanomedicine) Market Expected to Generate Huge Profits by 2015 2021: Persistence ... - MilTech

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