Daily Archives: March 8, 2022

"What the f**k is going on?"Crap App

Donald Trump is angry again. This time, itseems to be because no one seems to be using his glitchy Twitter wannabe, Truth Social.

After a fairly disastrous launch that included a massive waitlist for users along with a whole host of glitches, the former president is now allegedly mad at his team for the botched roll out. Sources told The Daily Beast that Trump has complained endlessly about it, and is looking to blame everyone but himself.

What the fuck is going on, Trump allegedly said on the phone referring to the app.

Despite an initial spike of two million daily visits when it first launched, the self-described Big Tent social media platform has since cratered in traffic. The Beast dug into the data behind the app and found that Truth Social is doing either worse or about the same as other middling MAGA-friendly platforms like Gab and Gettr.

Those who do end up using the app dont seem to be sticking around either. The news site found that the average user stays on the site for just 90 seconds a very short stretch compared to the seven minutes people spend on Getter and nine minutes they spend on Gab.

As with so much of Trumps problems, though, he really doesnt have anyone else to blame but himself. After all, he hasnt used the platform or posted a Truth a single time since launching the app. This is despite the fact that the world is arguably undergoing some of the biggest geopolitical turmoil its seen since World War II.

All in all, Truth Social is looking like a big dud. Weve seen better launches from SpaceX Starship prototypes and Trump only has himself to blame.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Cant Stop Whining About His Failing Social Media App [The Daily Beast]

More on Trump nonsense: Donald Trump Says Global Warming Is Good Because It Means More Seafront Property

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That doesn't look comfy. Wheely Annoying

NASAs Mars Rover, also called Perseverance, seems to have taken a stowaway on board to cart across the Red Planets surface.

On Friday, tech outlet CNETpublished a series of photos that show a medium-sized rock trapped in the rovers wheel. The outlet reported that space fans who enjoy reviewing the raw images the Rover messages back to Earth noticed the rock and voted several pictures of it as Image of the Week.

The first occurrence of the rock seems to have been February 6 and is available on NASAs Mars Rover photo gallery. The next shot NASA lovers noticed was taken on February 25. The rock seems to have eroded some in this photo and appears to be slightly smaller than in the first shot. The third and most recent shot was collected March 2. There appears to be a growing chip in the rock and small particles of Martian dust or the broken rock lie inside the rover wheel. The image below also comes from the official NASA website.

Despite the hitchhiker, the Mars Rover seems to be carrying on with business as usual. The rover is even breaking driving records, according to CNET. That may be partly due to Perseverances updated design, which CNET reports includes six wheels made from aluminum. It features cleats that give it traction on the rough, rocky and dusty terrain, and each wheel is just more than 20 inches in diameter.

Its good to hear Perseverance is, well, persevering, But we do feel a little bad about the trapped rock. Wouldnt you find it annoying if nobody was around to help you get a rock out of your shoe? Lets hope it falls out or breaks apart without causing problems.

More on space conflicts: Russia Releases Bizarre Video Of Space Station Breaking Apart

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There's a Rock Stuck in NASA's Mars Rover's Wheel - Futurism

"Soon millions of ordinary Russians will find themselves cut off from reliable information."Block for Block

Russias internet regulator Roskomnazor has announced that its officially blocking Facebook, in retaliation for the company blocking Russian state propaganda amid the countrys aggressive invasion of Ukraine.

The news is a worrying sign that the countrys authorities are starting to clamp down even further on the dissemination of information within its borders. It fits into a larger pattern, with antiwar demonstrators risking everything right nowas they march in the streets of Moscow where theyre being detained by the thousands.

The regulator claimed there were 26 case of discrimination against Russian media and information resources, as translated by TechCrunch, as its reasoning to clamp down on the largest social network in the world.

On February 24, Roskomnadzor sent requests to the administration of Meta Platforms, Inc. remove the restrictions imposed by the social network Facebook on Russian media and explain the reason for their introduction, the regulator wrote in in its announcement, claiming that Facebooks parent company Meta ignored its requests.

Last week, Nick Clegg, Metas VP of global affairs, wrote in a statement that Russian authorities ordered us to stop the independent fact-checking and labeling of content posted on Facebook by four Russian state-owned media organizations.

We refused, he said.

Today, Clegg expanded on the companys position in light of Russia decision to block the platform.

Soon millions of ordinary Russians will find themselves cut off from reliable information, deprived of their everyday ways of connecting with family and friends and silenced from speaking out, he said in a statement.

Its a serious crackdown on the spread of free information. And it might even backfire: by blocking Facebook, Roskomnazor is also cutting off one of the biggest facilitators of the spread of online misinformation and propaganda.

READ MORE: Russia says it will block Facebook, clamping down further on flow of information [TechCrunch]

More on the situation: NASA ISS Engineer Says Relationships With Russian Counterparts Still Cordial

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Sorry to be crude, but it's important.Orbital Healing

The topic of sex in space has remained taboo ever since we ventured into the great unknown for the first time.

But scientists are now arguing that its something we should be actively discussing and studying, Mic reports. After all, if we ever want to become interplanetary or embark on extraordinarily long journeys through space we should know how to boink in microgravity, or if its even possible.

Hell, space tourists might want to know if sex could ever be part of their brief journey into orbit one day. Who knows: it could even be an amazing experience.

In a research article published in December, a team of Canadian academics argued we should be embracing space sexology as a new discipline of study.

To move forward, space organizations must stop avoiding sexual topics and fully recognize the importance of love, sex and intimate relationships in human life, the team wrote in an accompanying piece for The Conversation last year. We have what it takes to pave the way for an ethical and pleasurable space journey, as we continue to boldly go where no one has gone before.

Scientists have studied the effects of microgravity on the human body extensively. But getting it on in space is almost a complete blind spot.

NASA has been dismissive of the subject, undermining concerns over the effects low gravity environments on sexual health in the past, according to Mic.

There are a couple of reasons NASA has been so puritanical about sex in space. For one, sexual activity in space could jeopardize the harmony of a crew and thereby mission directives. Then theres pressure from conservative-leaning lawmakers.

No research has explored intimate relationships, nor the human experience of sexual functions and wellbeing, in space or space analogues, or how any of this can affect crew performance, Simon Dub, Concordia University psychologist and co-author of the research article, told Mic.

But fortunately, times are changing. While we still arent entirely sure if human reproduction and conception can even occur in microgravity, scientists are opening up to the idea.

Should a future need for more in-depth study on reproductive health in space be identified, NASA would take the appropriate steps, a NASA spokesperson told Mic.

READ MORE: Inside the Push to Study Sex in Space [Mic]

More on sex in space: We Need to Talk About Gay Sex in Space

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Scientists Say We Really Have to Talk About Boning in Space - Futurism

It's not quite that simple.Bubble Pop?

The NFT market is starting to cool down, Bloomberg reports. The average trading value of the nonfungible tokens has dropped precipitously lately, declining from a record $6,900 at the beginning of the year to under just $2,000, according to NFT tracker NonFungible.

The trend has only accelerated ever since Russia started the invasion of Ukraine, a great source of global uncertainty thats dealt a major blow to markets across the board.

Is this the last stop on the NFT gravy train? Theres certainly some evidence that the hype is really starting to cool down but the situation is more nuanced than that, with the number of unique traders getting into NFTs still on the rise.

Besides, as recent history has shown, the crypto world is full of surprises.

Global uncertainty and political unrest are likely contributing factors to the overall decline.

What I would say is the last week or so has seen a significant decline perhaps as much as 40 percent in floor prices for the most desirable NFTs, Bloomberg writer and crypto investor Aaron Brown told Bloomberg.

Some collectors are starting to cut their losses. One user sold a Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT today for $224,000in a $67,800 loss, as Fortune points out.

Increased scrutiny from US regulators could also be contributing to the decline. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced this week that its investigating whether NFTs are securities and should therefore be regulated as such, according to a separate Bloomberg report.

Its also a jumble of mixed signals, as not every NFT marketplace is affected. Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs saw sales rocketing 59 percent over the last week, according to NFT data management website DappRadar. CryptoPunks were also up 118 percent.

Trading volumes are down in general, but the demand measured by the number of unique traders and sales count is increasing, Dapp Radar analyst Pedro Herrera told Bloomberg. So while were seeing less volume, theres more activity, even though Ukraines conflict is definitely driving away the attention from trading.

Its hard to say where the NFT market is headed next. And in the crypto world, it wouldnt be the first dip and subsequent rise.

READ MORE: NFT Mania Show Signs of Cooling as Average Price and Sales Decline [Bloomberg]

More on NFTs: Knockoff eBay NFTs Are Kind of Based, Actually

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Report: The NFT Bubble Could Be Starting to Burst - Futurism

The price of oil is through the roof right now as Russias invasion of Ukraine continues to send ripples through the global supply chain.

Its a telling moment, considering that much of the world has been nominally working to end its reliance on fossil fuels but now, countries are now racing to secure oil supplies from elsewhere.

The Biden administration, for one, is doubling down, bragging that it has the United States producing a record amount of oil and gas.

US production of natural gas and oil is rising and approaching record levels, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Sunday. More natural gas than ever this year, more oil than ever next year, and, even with a global pandemic, more oil production this past year than during the previous administrations first year.

The context is that as the international community works to distance itself from Russia after the invasion, its now looking to lessen or end its reliance on Russian oil, which is proving predictably difficult.

In 2021, the US imported about eight percent of its oil supply from the Eastern European nation alone.

Prices soared this week, hitting $139 a barrel, following the US hinting at banning Russian oil and gas while importing more from other countries to make up the difference.

Over the weekend, senior US officials met with Venezuelan leaders, presumably with the hopes of securing oil imports, despite the severing of diplomatic ties in 2019 over Nicolas Maduros authoritarian rule.

Germany finds itself in even more of a predicament.

At the moment, Europes supply of energy for heat generation, mobility, power supply and industry cannot be secured in any other way, German chancellor Olaf Scholz said during a Monday announcement, noting that Russian imports are of essential importance.

In short, the Western world is still extremely reliant on Russian oil, which could back it into a corner as the violence continues in Ukraine.

But does it have to be this way? The answer to the United States woes is as evident as it has ever been: ending the reliance on fossil fuels once and for all, regardless of where its being imported from.

And in its defense, the Biden administration seems aware of that simple fact.

The only way to protect US over the long term is to become energy independent, Psaki wrote in her Sunday announcement. That is why the President is so focused on deploying clean energy technologies that dont require fossil fuels bought and sold on the global market, which will always be vulnerable to bad actors.

READ MORE: Europeans throw cold water on possibility of Russian energy ban [Axios]

More on oil: Elon Musk Says We Need More Nuclear Energy After Russia Targets Power Plants

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Whether youre cooking a Thanksgiving turkey or smoking a freshly caught salmon, the difference between delicious and dismal all has to do with temperature. Meat thermometers are handy tools to help you hit the specific doneness of any main course. The problem is many of these tools are still stuck in the 20th century. MEATER Plus isnt just one of the most accurate ways to temp your food, its the smartest, and this quick review will detail its capabilities.

The most obvious upgrade is the complete absence of wires. MEATER Plus operates through Bluetooth, sending detailed temperature readouts directly to a companion app available on iOS and Android. Here are a few of the thermometers standout features.

A Thermometer with Range: MEATER Plus charging dock doubles as a built-in Bluetooth repeater that extends up to 165 feet, so you dont have to nurse your food while its cooking. The companion app has presets for beef, pork, chicken, and fish, along with videos showcasing recipes and techniques.

Handles the Heat: The MEATER Plus doesnt simply monitor the internal temperature of the food, but the temperature of the environment its cooking in. Despite the heavy tech inside the thermometer, it can handle ambient heat of up to 527 degrees Fahrenheit so its equally at home in an oven or on a white-hot charcoal grill. Its also well-suited for stovetops and smokers.

Seriously Smart: If youve ever used a meat thermometer, MEATER Plus will feel all too familiar. The difference here is that the more you use MEATER Plus, the more polished your cooking skills become. Its Guided Cooking System walks you through every step of the cooking process. Plus, the Advanced Estimator Algorithm will help you plan mealtimes, by gauging how long your piece of protein will take to cook to perfection. It even takes into account carryover cooking, because meat can still overcook while its resting. MEATER Plus alerts you to pluck your food from the heat so it reaches the perfect temperature while it nests on a carving board.

Unmatched Build Quality: If youre looking for weak wires and cheap plastic, look elsewhere. The MEATER Plus is made from durable stainless steel and heat-resistant ceramic. Its bamboo charging dock is magnetic, so it sticks conveniently to ovens, grills, and refrigerators. It also charges the thermometer up to 100 times on a single AAA battery.

Using the MEATER Plus leaves no guesswork or room for user error. Cooking a thick bone-in rib-eye steak was done easier than before, starting in a moderate oven and finishing it off on a hot skillet. MEATER Plus also comes with cloud capabilities and shares real-time cooking info to smart devices and internet browsers. It can even sync up to Amazon Alexa, and tap into tons of voice commands like steak update and when will my game hen be ready? These are welcome additions, but thankfully, many high-tech accouterments are totally optional. MEATER Plus is the best-selling Bluetooth meat thermometer, and its easy to see why.

Buy on Amazon

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

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That's seriously messed up.Not Funny

In what may be the least funny dad joke in history, one UK father is getting backlash online for tricking his family into thinking Russia launched a nuclear bomb attack. According to a report published in the New York Postthis morning, the 32-year old convinced his family they were going to die because of the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

It went brilliantly. Beyond expectations, the father told the news service SWNS, as quoted by the Post.

His fiancs brother posted a two-minute clip of the prank on Twitter, which shows the family watching a fake nuclear bomb alert on TV. Its designed to look like a real BBC news segment, with alarming red background. In the clip the mans fianc gets distressed, clapping a hand over her mouth. A young child playing in pajamas tries to get his soon-to-be-stepmothers attention with a pillow, but cant distract her from the fear.

Twitter users were quick to give their thoughts on the vicious prank, including a few folks who felt the joke was inconsiderate to their own loved ones.

Yeah because my family in Ukraine would find this hilarious right now while their home has been obliterated, their small children now have no home and friends/colleagues have been found dead. Get a grip, one user said under the original clip.

To be fair, the Post reports that the mans fianc took the joke in stride after initially being upset.

Hes lucky to still be alive, trust me, she told SWNS. He nearly gave me a heart attack. Ive watched it over and over because I keep laughing at myself. Ill try and get him back with a prank but I dont think anything can top him creating World War Three.

Lets hope the couples ongoing prank war doesnt actually instigate real global conflict.

More on the real nuclear crisis: Authorities Furious That Russia Attacked Nuclear Plant

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Emotional whiplash and utter honesty is what TBD, a Neo-Futurist-inspired performance group, promises its audience.

Since 2015, TBD has held a quarterly mainstage show along with occasional special events like open mics or speed dating games. Each show boasts a series of short plays written by the performers. The twist? The plays are performed in a random order that changes with each show. Each play is assigned a number, and then the audience selects the order with notecards.

This creates what TBD calls emotional whiplash. Communication senior Bennett Petersen said the plays range from chaotic screaming and sprinkling toy bed bugs onto the audience from the balcony to processing deep emotional experiences.

Its going to be something that youve probably never seen before, said Lola Bod, a Communication freshman and TBD ensemble member. It was something that I had never seen before until I saw TBD. And therell be a lot of things that are unexpected. Therell be a lot of spectacle.

TBD will perform TBD Presents: Portrait of a Student Group on Fire 10 p.m. Friday, and 7 p.m. and 10 p.m Saturday in Fisk Hall 217.

All TBD plays are nonfiction and non-illusory, meaning there is no traditional acting.

The single rule we hold ourselves to is that at no point on that stage are we lying, Petersen said. We are always playing ourselves. We are always putting ourselves in that moment in that space.

The tenant allows TBD to write stories with messages they want to express and also reflect the communitys needs.

Communication senior and ensemble member Rick Hilscher, a member of the group since his freshman year, noticed TBD plays became increasingly absurd after the pandemic likely as a way to take a break from the world.

Its like a living newspaper, so that every single play we write and every single thing we share is a reflection of the modern times and what our and what Northwestern students at this time are thinking about, Hilscher said.

Bod said the unconventional formatting and topics are like a breath of fresh air compared to fully staged productions.

Bienen and Communication freshman Mya Vandegrift said TBD transformed her writing and has brought her out of her comfort zone in both the silly and serious works.

Its just constant creativity, Vandegrift said. Its like being a kid again. I hope (the audience) appreciates the chaos and also the really personal quiet moments.

The team of 15 members has formed a close-knit environment with one another, but also with the NU community. TBD frequently gets the audience involved with interactive plays, something that blurs the line between audience and performers according to Hilscher.

Though TBD shows are far from standard theatre, they have the audience hooked. In fact, Bod and Petersen decided to join after watching a TBD performance for the first time.

Youre getting sort of the full spectrum of human emotion and the human truth, in such a short period of time, Hilscher said. That can be a little disorienting, but in a way that I think our audience enjoys, and its a big reason why people keep coming back.

Correction: A previous version of this story misspelled Lola Bods name and misstated the dates of the performances. The Daily regrets the errors.

Email: [emailprotected]Twitter: @karapeeler

Related Stories: TBD performance group brings neo-futurism to the present through short plays Student theater troupe explores neo-futurism, grows presence on campus Arts Alliance strives to create accessible theatre

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Neo-Futurist performance group TBD tells the truth in unique ways - Daily Northwestern

Well, that's pretty grim.Felicity Ate

A huge cargo ship full of Bentleys and Porches thats been burning in the Atlantic has finally succumbed to the depths.

AsThe New York Times reports, the cargo ship named Felicity Ace, which was carrying about 4,000 luxury cars made by Volkswagen Group destined for Rhode Island when it began to burn in the North Atlantic in mid-February, has finally sank after just under two weeks of being on fire.

With the sinking of these high-end vehicles, which the Russell Group risk analysis firm estimated at being worth about $400 million in total, comes concerns for the environment of the Azores, the archipelago off the coast of Portugal about 250 miles from where the ship sank. The area is covered in coral reefs, and is home to multiple species of whales as well as dolphins and sharks, all of which could be at risk from the sudden dump of harmful pollutants.

Not only does the ship itself hold millions of liters of heavy oil that burned for weeks, as the environmentalist group Oceana told the Times, but the lithium-ion batteries inside the electric vehicles on board also likely made the blaze much worse.

Known for being highly flammable, it remains unclear how much of a role the batteries played in the fire, though in an interview withReuters after it began, the captain of the port on the Azorean island of Faial said the batteries were keeping the fire alive. The flames from infernos as hot as those resulting from ignited lithium-ion often cant be put out with regular water, which was part of why efforts to extinguish the blaze took so long.

ThePortuguese Navy confirmed in a statement that the Felicity Ace sank after attempts to tow it ashore. Previous reporting indicated that the ships crew had been safely evacuated, so there do not appear to have been any human casualties.

It will take a lengthy forensic investigation to determine what caused the fire, how much money the companies and consumers involved lost and, perhaps more importantly, how harmful this blaze will be for the nearby environment.

READ MORE:After Burning for Days, a Ship Carrying Thousands of Luxury Cars Sinks [The New York Times]

More boat fire:Huge Oil Tanker Explodes Off Coast of Africa

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Remember That Giant Burning Ship of Luxury Cars? It Just Sank - Futurism