Daily Archives: June 22, 2022

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall’s style evolution in 42 photos: tweed, tartan and two pieces – The National

Posted: June 22, 2022 at 12:38 pm

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, may not be the first royal who springs to mind when you consider fashion icons Queen Rania of Jordan, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, have the proverbial style crowns.

However, there is no doubt she has grown into her role in the public eye with grace.

Married to Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, the duchess is rarely seen off duty. A hard-working but approachable royal, she dresses for the occasion when it comes to her engagements.

Tartan and tweed coats, to protect her from the brisk UK weather, are favourites of Camilla's. And, in recent years, relaxed floral dresses have been a go-to for daytime commitments.

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla wearing Anna Valentine in 2005. AFP

In November, the royal was in Jordan and Egypt for a four-day tour. During the visit, Camilla sported looks by British designer Fiona Clare, paired with pale high heels and a beige handbag by Bottega Veneta.

Anna Valentine is a favourite designer of the royal. Not only did Valentine design the two outfits for her 2005 wedding to Prince Charles, but the creator is also behind the all-white flowing trouser and top ensemble she wore on day two of her Jordan trip, when she attended the centenary celebration of the founding of the Jordanian state in Amman, and the pink look she wore to arrive in Cairo, Egypt.

During Queen Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee celebrations, the duchess borrowed a robe, which was given to Prince Charles as a gift during a 1990s tour of Saudi Arabia, from her husband's wardrobe.

Britain's Prince Charles, with his wife Camilla, speaks at the BBC Party at the Palace in London on June 4. WPA Pool / Getty

The piece, which is dark blue with silver embroidery, is designed to be worn over a thobe. It was created by Saudi designer Yahya Al Bishri and is a wool and cashmere blend.

Following a busy month of jubilee celebrations, the royal made an appearance in British Vogue, further cementing her style status ahead of her 75th birthday. In the two images released to accompany an interview, which discusses the future of the British royal family and fashion, she wore a Bruce Oldfield gown and blue Fiona Clare dress.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, photographed at Clarence House wearing Bruce Oldfield for the cover of 'British Vogue'. PA

No stranger to a hat, Camilla regularly chooses to top her outfits with a little millinery, opting for larger-than-life designs, often by Philip Treacy, for formal events, and has been spotted with accessories from Chanel, Bottega Veneta, Kiki McDonough and Van Cleef & Arpels.

This story was originally published on November 19, 2021

Updated: June 22, 2022, 2:48 PM

See the rest here:

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall's style evolution in 42 photos: tweed, tartan and two pieces - The National

Posted in Evolution | Comments Off on Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall’s style evolution in 42 photos: tweed, tartan and two pieces – The National

Global Animation & VFX Market Report 2022-2026 – Evolution of VFX, AR and VR Technologies is Dramatically Changing the Creation and Consumption of…

Posted: at 12:38 pm

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Global Animation & VFX: Strategies, Trends & Opportunities (2022-26)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Global consumers are displaying a growing appetite for engaging, high-definition visual experiences. Moviegoers are demanding high quality productions with engaging visual effects and realistic animation and studios are including more animation and VFX shots into films. Consumers are consuming more immersive content across channels such as ultra-high-definition TVs, tablets and smartphones to head mounted devices.

Animation, VFX and games content is being consumed not only on Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and Twitch, but also on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. With the growing internet penetration and access to multimedia devices, customers are spending more time on streaming digital content. Streaming video is the fastest growing distribution channel for animation and is witnessing double digit growth and the same is expected to continue. This growth is attributed to the exponential growth in the number of online video viewers throughout the world.

The demand for animation, VFX and video gaming has expanded with the increase in targeted broadcasting hours by cable and satellite TV, availability of low cost internet access, penetration of mobile devices along with the growing popularity of streaming video. In addition, the demand for Animation and VFX content to power immersive experiences such as Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality is growing exponentially.

The rapid advancement of technology has made animation, VFX & games available to the masses, and this industry has become one of the fastest growing segments in the global media and entertainment market. We are increasingly seeing more of animation, VFX and games production taking place in a globally distributed mode. Production work is becoming global with countries as well as regions offering tax incentives, subsidies, financial support, regional low labor costs etc. and companies are cutting costs by setting up facilities in such regions. Cloud computing is playing a key role in character rendering and modeling processes as cloud based rendering of animation films is more effective and efficient as it reduces the time and cost compared to traditional rendering.

EMERGING TRENDS IN ANIMATION & VFX INDUSTRY

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

2. Global Animation & VFX Industry

3. Animation & VFX Market Segments

4. Animation Streaming Video on Demand

5. Emerging Trends & Future of Animation & VFX

6. Global Television Animation Content Demand

7. Animation & VFX Software Market

8. Animation & VFX Content Creation

9. Audience Dynamics

10. Economics of Animation & VFX

11. Guidelines for Setting Up An Animation Studio

12. Managing An Animation Studio

13. Animation Content Outsourcing

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/dsk8en

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

More:

Global Animation & VFX Market Report 2022-2026 - Evolution of VFX, AR and VR Technologies is Dramatically Changing the Creation and Consumption of...

Posted in Evolution | Comments Off on Global Animation & VFX Market Report 2022-2026 – Evolution of VFX, AR and VR Technologies is Dramatically Changing the Creation and Consumption of…

Nothing Phone (1) shows off the evolution of the notification LED – XDA Developers

Posted: at 12:38 pm

Cryptic would be an understatement when describing Carl Peis Nothing. Up until a week ago, the company was slowly building anticipation for its upcoming smartphone, the Phone (1), by trickle-feeding its audience and supporters, mostly little snippets of nothing. That all changed when Nothing decided to show off its smartphones party trick at an in-person event. Today, we get to hear a little more about the phone and its LEDs, thanks to a new video posted by MKBHD.

MKBHD gained exclusive access to the Nothing Phone (1) and showed off the front and the back. While the front looks like your typical Android smartphone (though with equal bezels), the rear looks unique. The most unique feature of the phone isnt its clear back design, but its LEDs. The phone uses just over 900 LEDs to make its unique pattern called the Glyph Interface. There is a small C-shaped pattern that surrounds the camera and a larger C-shaped pattern that surrounds the wireless charging pad. There is also a shape that looks like an exclamation mark towards the bottom and a dash in the top right-hand corner.

The Glyph Interface isnt just a pretty light show and offersfunctionality. The LEDs will pulse whenever you receive an incoming notification and it can also glow when you begin to wirelessly charge. The lights can also show the status of your charge, giving you a visual indication of just how much of the battery is juiced up without having to turn on the display. The LEDs dont stay illuminated constantly and can be reactivated just by wiggling the phone.

The Glyph Interface will have a set of ten ringtones that will also offer synced LED patterns. Users will also be able to pair light patterns to specific contacts. The customizations can even be done in apps, giving users an idea of what kind of notification has arrived. While it might sound dull, this is important, with it being considered the evolution of the notification LED. The Glyph Interface can even be used as a fill light when taking photos or videos. Last but not least, there is also a blinking red LED that shows people when you are recording.

This is quite a concept, but one has to wonder how long the honeymoon period will last. It will be interesting to see just how far Nothing can take this movement and to see how many stay along for the journey. The company will hold an event on July 12. If youre a little anxious and cant wait a few weeks, you can always take your chance and bid on the first 100 handsets that are now up for auction. Just be careful, as it looks like the handset doesnt offer global support, with the company stating that it may not function fully or at all in North America. You can check Nothings website to confirm carrier compatibility.

Read more:

Nothing Phone (1) shows off the evolution of the notification LED - XDA Developers

Posted in Evolution | Comments Off on Nothing Phone (1) shows off the evolution of the notification LED – XDA Developers

Q&A With Steph Davis: How Climbing Has Evolved, Ode to a Gear Sling & More – GearJunkie

Posted: at 12:38 pm

Home Climbing Q&A With Steph Davis: How Climbing Has Evolved, Ode to a Gear Sling & More

Check out our recent interview with Steph Davis for the scoop on the best innovations in climbing over the years, her favorite gear, when you can climb with her, and more.

Theres nothing quite like nerding out on gear with one of the most popular climbers of all time. This past week, we got a chance to Zoom call with professional climber Steph Davis to talk all things climbing: ropes, shoes, draws, and more.

Wondering what her go-to crag pack is? Maybe how climbing gear has changed since those early Yosemite days? What about her advice for new climbers?

Weve got all that and more.

Steph Davis: Oh gosh, theres so many. Id say the best evolution in gear has been the combination of lightweight and durability. Thats like the Holy Grail for climbing equipment and very difficult [to get].

When things were heavy, it was when the materials werent yet there, or you needed it for safety, so a lot of times, the weight had to be there. People have been pushing to get that lighter, but theres a tradeoff with durability and longevity.

Sometimes you are willing to make that tradeoff. But as material and construction methods have improved, I think thats the biggest thing Ive seen now. Light and durable, and safe.

With current gear, one place I find this has really manifested is with quickdraws. Mammut came out with the Sender draws recently, and I just lost my mind. They are adequate sport climbing quickdraws, and they handle well, they are the right size and they weigh nothing.

I remember when I started climbing, people were using 11mm as their normal lead rope; it was crazy. To see these ropes getting lighter and thinner, but also having that hefty maybe that isnt the right word having that still substantial texture. Its so cool.

And there will still be times when I take a heavier rope, maybe someones jumaring on it, or theres loose rock where youre going, but still heavier ropes nowadays are still very light. Its lighter, and its trustworthy.

So, now brands are taking all these pieces that they would normally throw away, and they are using all of that to make a rope. So, the sheath ends up being multicolored, not this is a blue rope.Theres a big sustainability push thats going on, too, for sure.

I cant remember when that started, but Id be really curious to know. I mean, for alpine climbing, you always wanted dry it lasts longer, doesnt get wet, its nicer anyway. But Id really be curious when that started.

Another thing that was big for me was bi-colored ropes, so with a split pattern [on one half]. That was a huge evolution. I remember when I first got a rope like that. Its common now, but initially, it was a big thing.

So, its funny when I first started working with Mammut; I think it was in 2003. The reason I started working with them is because they were making the Contact sling. And back then, it was new.

So, the light slings at the time were like the shoulder slings that are part nylon, part Dyneema, and slightly wider. And these new Contact slings were a fraction of that thickness because almost the whole thing was Dyneema.

And that was a game-changer in terms of weight.I had heard about it at a tradeshow and went over and said, I want one of these!

I think people were already doing some down-turning of shoes when I started climbing, but its definitely been more in the past few decades. I think thats been significant. Theres a time and place for flat shoes, obviously, but overall, shoes can change the way you climb.

I am a huge slippers wearer for climbing in the desert [crack climbing]. Otherwise, Velcro shoes for sport climbing. I dont like anything that takes time, like laces.

When I first started climbing, everybody used a gear sling. Since things have gotten so more specific (like only bouldering, people starting in gyms) along the way, I think people lost the concept of using a gear sling. They would just put it on their harness.

And there are a lot of situations where you dont want all that gear on your hips, like cams pressing into your thighs while youre climbing a dihedral ridiculous.

Anyways, when I started climbing in the 90s, there was a gear sling, and youd pass it back and forth. I was climbing with guys, so it was always long, caught between my legs I hated it.

So, one day, I was in the Yosemite climbing shop, and I saw an ABC-brand gear sling, and it had sizes. And I was like, What?! So I bought a small one, and it changed my life because suddenly, my gear wasnt in my crotch.

Then I started making my own, smaller and smaller sizes. Now, when we trade pitches, you have your gear sling, and I have mine.

And I still have that one. Very simple, fleece padding, one-inch webbing. I didnt think much of it, but I teach these climbing clinics, and I started recommending them.

Teaching people about racking, telling people to make sure the gear sling is their size and people would email me after saying, I cant find a gear sling!

So, I started researching, and I guess nobody was making gear slings anymore. I thought, I guess I have to make these available because people need a damn gear sling. I have a buddy who sews gear and makes portaledges who helped me make them, and that way, I can provide them to people.

I actually sell them on my website, just for people who may need them. Id say once a month, I get an order from someone who finds it.

But that was the goal. I just want people to have gear slings!

Helmets that now come in smaller sizes thats important. And also clothing. Climbing clothing used to be few and far between, so now, having clothing that fits correctly thats huge.

I think we went through this evolution: first, we got womens clothing, then there was this transition that had to happen from standard womens fit to womens athlete fit. I think theres a difference there. So, body shape for example, many trail runners dont have a waist.

So, the stereotypical pants with a tiny waist and wide hips dont work. And the same goes for problems with shoulders: with broader shoulders, we need it to fit differently.

The fit models have changed: its not just that we are female, but that we do all these different sports.

Wondering what Steph Davis is up to now? Still climbing, of course, but shes also sharing her climbing knowledge. And you could get the chance to climb with her! Davis climbing clinics are in the spring and fall each year, and registration is open now.

Mammut is Davis longest-running sponsor over the years shes been using and testing gear with Mammut since 2004. Davis current sponsors include: Evolv, Osprey, Kavu, Gnarly Nutrition, and Nulo Petfood.In prior years, Steph Davis was sponsored by Patagonia, Five Ten, and Black Diamond.

Continue reading here:

Q&A With Steph Davis: How Climbing Has Evolved, Ode to a Gear Sling & More - GearJunkie

Posted in Evolution | Comments Off on Q&A With Steph Davis: How Climbing Has Evolved, Ode to a Gear Sling & More – GearJunkie

J-Sim Discusses Web3 And The Evolution Of The Internet Over The Years – Digital Journal

Posted: at 12:38 pm

J-Sim presents a new report that discusses Web3 and the evolution of the internet over the years. The report was compiled by the companys tech specialists and released amid the evolution of the web. The article was published on J-Sims website to highlight the evolution of the internet.

A new paradigm is emerging on the internet. Since its early days, the web has undergone many changes that have made it almost unrecognizable from its earliest days. Web evolution has traditionally been divided into three distinct phases: Web 1.0, Web 2.0, and Web 3.0. Web3 emphasizes decentralization and user-driven design, and is built, owned, and operated by users. Individuals, not corporations, hold the power in Web3. This publication aims to address the impact this evolution to Web3 will have on internet users.

According to J-Sim, the report was produced after in-depth research by their experts. The primary focus of the report is on the main features of Web3. The new article further sheds light on Web1 and Web2 and the key differences between them. The experts in the report explained how Web3 works and some of its examples. The report was published as part of their regular research on technology and the World Wide Web. The full report can be found here; https://www.j-sim.org/what-is-web3/.

The article examines how the internet has evolved and where it is headed in the future. It helps web users understand how the new changes will impact the digital world by providing a comprehensive overview of Web3 and how it differs from earlier versions, said Editor in Chief of J-sim, Michael Morales.

J-Sim has provided an extensive library of online resources since its launch, including information on computer technology, internet security, telecommunications, and the internet in general. This site offers information, advice, research, reviews, comparisons, analyses, and practical tips on various digital tools to help people prosper in the tech-driven industry. Additionally, it features news and reviews as well as industry insights and advice from different tech companies. Readers can learn more about javascript by visiting their page: https://www.j-sim.org/what-does-this-mean-in-javascript/.

Morales said, Companies, corporations, and individuals need innovative technologies in order to keep up with the fast-paced world of technology. By providing content and resources on various technology fields, including internet security and business management, we aim to help readers keep up with the rapid technological advancement, According to J-Sim, in order to succeed in the digital domain, readers should be informed about the newest technologies and anything relating to the World Wide Web.

Readers can visit the J-Sim website for more information regarding their content and resources.

###

For more information about J-Sim, contact the company here:

J-SimMichael Morales[emailprotected]United States

See the article here:

J-Sim Discusses Web3 And The Evolution Of The Internet Over The Years - Digital Journal

Posted in Evolution | Comments Off on J-Sim Discusses Web3 And The Evolution Of The Internet Over The Years – Digital Journal

Collaborative Learning – Next Step of LMS Evolution – Critical Hit

Posted: at 12:38 pm

Collaborative learning is using social components to enhance the learning experience of users. If you think about it, collaborative learning has always been around, like when you were assigned a group project in school. You and your classmates worked together, learned new things, and created a unique project.

Collaborative learning depends on the rule that can enhance learners opportunities for growth by interacting with others and profiting from each others knowledge, experience, skillsets, and assets.

So what has changed?

With the revolutionization of eLearning, came new tools and technologies like LMS (Learning Management System), facilitating a more advanced eLearning solution.

The central role of an LMS is to assist L&D divisions with administering learning content. Administrators can transfer courses, document them, and oversee completion and employee participation.

With Collaborative learning incorporated with LMS rather than L&D creating and transferring content, everybody will participate by recommending, updating, and taking courses. In a collaborative framework, the job of L&D shifts from the administrator to the users.

Employees can learn when their need emerges, analyze their progress, and convey their necessity from learning courses, rather than L&D performing these employee-centric functions. L&D can utilize this time to identify the gaps and grey areas and take corrective measures.

With the advancement of LMS, collaborative learning became an essential element of eLearning. Collaborative learning has accelerated the learning experience of users when provided with LMS like 360 learning at elearningindustry.com by facilitating easy and effective collaborative learning. Employees learn from each other on forums, live chats, whiteboards, and social media platforms.

Why use Collaborative Learning?

Collaborative learning is an instructive way to educate and learn where a group of learners work together and are assigned tasks such as completion of a project, product creation, and solving an issue.

Collaboration urges individuals to cooperate and foster relationships among colleagues and develop team spirit. Employees who cooperate are bound to have insightful conversations, enhancing comprehension and appreciation for other people.

Performing in a collaborative system assists employees with accomplishing a shared objective and supports the improvement of a broad scope of information and abilities. They learn from different employees, which assists them with grasping an idea from various perspectives and using basic relational abilities like undivided attention.

This opportunity for growth additionally results in self-enhancing abilities like self-administration and increased decisive reasoning and understanding. Collaborating with diverse groups means gaining new knowledge and skills.

Employees at all levels of the organization contribute their insight and information with collaborative learning. The approach helps promote high-level reasoning and knowledge and, in turn, allows employees to retain that information.

An organization does not only need to retain information but also needs to retain its employees because no one would want to lose a valuable employee who has better experience and good insight into the market.

Collaborative learning ensures that the opinions of these helpful employees are heard, and their experiences give other employees some guidance. This offers valuable employees a sense of belonging to the organization maintaining better employee retention.

An LMS provides a focal region for learning and accessing content that can be delivered and updated from any place. But imagine an LMS centered around peer learning, where an employee could solve some pressing issues and get replies at the place of need.

A robust collaborative learning system guarantees that employees can get to necessary data readily available saving the main thing, time.

With LMS, geographical restrictions ended, allowing you to learn and work online globally. With a global level audience comes diverse perspective regarding a topic.

Since collaborative learning empowers learning in gatherings, it opens employees to diverse and fresh perspectives, prompting better comprehension. Additionally, specialists and experienced employees can impart their views to other employees and explain questions/misinterpretations, which will improve learning significantly more.

Collaborative learning, in other terms, is peer learning (more details). With this learning, employees interact within themselves. Every employee can partake, sharing their perspectives while being heard by the other employees, giving a sense of significance and worth, in the long run prompting interaction and engagement.

Collaborative learning is an ideal interest for the Next Generation Workforce, also called Millennials. Our millennials love sharing content, information, and experience through chats and discussion boards. This is why an organization practicing collaborative learning tends to have better employee participation and engagement.

In collaborative learning, employees post their perspectives and tasks, and thats only the tip of the iceberg. This will allow them to distinguish the regions wherein they need to improve, prompting a powerful opportunity for growth.

Peer learning also facilitates peer feedback, which is also an interesting thing. People tend to learn and retain more when they learn something among themselves. But they also tend to improve more with peer feedback, that is, criticism from the peer.

Conclusion

80% of employee learning takes place through on-the-job interactions with peers, teammates, and managers, according to Deloitte. This concept of collaborative learning has proven to be very effective and beneficial with organizations of any size and number.

We advise you to incorporate collaborative learning in your organization for increased employee participation and success rate.

Last Updated: June 21, 2022

Go here to read the rest:

Collaborative Learning - Next Step of LMS Evolution - Critical Hit

Posted in Evolution | Comments Off on Collaborative Learning – Next Step of LMS Evolution – Critical Hit

The next Evolution of Money lies in Harmony – The Citizen

Posted: at 12:38 pm

History has it that before money was invented, trade by barter has always been a medium of exchange. The Mesopotamian people invented shekel 5000 years ago which was considered the first known form of currency. In Africa, we have used cowries, we have used stones, gold, and then coins followed by paper bills with value denominations to represent money. The money then over time became a way to distinguish between people and places based on the currency they hold and spend. This development made the continent of Africa grow further apart as competitors rather than allies.

Today, on the lips of most people are statements like digital currency, virtual currencies, cryptocurrency, bitcoin and so on; the next evolution in the fintech space. Today, most countries and governments are deciding on building their own digital currency, otherwise called the Central Bank Digital Currency. Many debates have been taken about whether these new initiatives by the banks are the same as the popularly used and known cryptocurrency. It is best to summarize it as a regulated version of cryptocurrency with some degree of government controls and of course, pegged to a local currency value.

Most focus and interests in designing these CBDCs have primarily been centered on security, transaction speed and a few other things, but not much on what more it could do to liberate and provide more opportunities for the citizens. A few wise men and leaders once dreamed about a unified currency for Africa, measured in unique gold metal, though this was ages ago. A few flaws existed in this which were totally mitigated, todays technology has made it more than possible as it has been successfully done for over a decade with Bitcoin.

CBDCs of course are striving to achieve more by design, inventing a currency that still obeys the old financial rules while blending the new possibilities offered by technology such as programable and transparent transactions. Most countries see this as an attempt to boost the liquidity, utility, and value of the local currency as well as the economy.

However, lack of adequate regulations and understanding of the terrain has limited the possibilities and extent of CBDCs because of the fear of the unknown. When compared to the achievements of the current trends in the space, a well-regulated CBDC without the innovation-stifling element might be able to achieve more because of the acceptance and increased adoption.

Blockchain technology in recently launched platforms or software was designed to provide interoperability between chains. Transformationally, a few offer Parent-Child chain architecture allowing more security in various chains or in this case, currencies on the same platform. Some other solutions trying to rival or recreate this solution uses an already established system to offer a banking platform for many currencies as seen on centralized exchanges and custodial wallets. But with this, a lot could go wrong which can be averted or countered with a fully decentralized platform.

As an East African traveling across the region, imagine, having a single blockchain wallet fully decentralized, transparent, secured holding various currencies for each country and able to spend, exchange and do much more on a single secured application.

With the capacity of smart contracts and creating decentralized applications, new businesses and jobs will be created. All designed to boost the economy and improve livelihoods. Chain transactions will be monitored around the clock giving the government the ability to protect all interests through an existing KYC from the banks fused into account creations. Countries are united not by currency, but by the platform, a single chain, and connected digital solutions.

As Fintech space continues to evolve, CBDC offers further disruptions, but a better design will not be one that further disintegrates a continent, but one that unites it. Ardor Blockchain a product of Jelurida Swiss, enhanced development from NXT blockchain, the first pure PoS consensus algorithm built-in 2013. Ardor offers a unique Parent-child chain architecture that allows the full design of a deserving CBDC unites East African Communities. See a demo at http://www.eapesa.com. Jelurida Swiss currently has two African extensions, Jelurida Africa in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Jelurida Tanzania registered in the United Republic of Tanzania.

Excerpt from:

The next Evolution of Money lies in Harmony - The Citizen

Posted in Evolution | Comments Off on The next Evolution of Money lies in Harmony – The Citizen

Twitter and freedom of speech – Washington Times

Posted: at 12:37 pm

OPINION:

Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press. First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

When James Madison authored the language that would become the First Amendment, he and his colleagues feared that the new federal government might enact legislation that would interfere with personal liberty. That fear was shared by many in the 13 states that had just ratified the Constitution. Indeed, five of the states conditioned their ratification on the addition of a Bill of Rights.

Mr. Madison who had been the scrivener of the Constitution in 1787, was, by 1791, a member of the House of Representatives and the Houses resident expert on the Constitution was designated by his colleagues as the drafter of the Bill of Rights.

Mr. Madisons language in the First Amendment is clear; it only restrains Congress. Yet, recognizing the natural origins of the freedom of speech and aware of the universal governmental animosity to free speech, and taking account of the 14th Amendments imposition of due process upon the states, the courts expanded the scope of the First Amendment so as to impose its restraints upon all government including the president, the judiciary, the states and their subdivisions.

During the Civil War and World War I, Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson incarcerated folks for their speech and argued that the First Amendment only restrained Congress, not the president. Today, such an argument would be dismissed out of hand in any court. Today, the First Amendment protects the freedom of speech from all government.

But the First Amendment only restrains the government. It does not restrain private persons, whom lawyers call nongovernmental actors.

The old counterpoint that the First Amendment does not permit shouting fire in a crowded theater is inaccurate. If the theater is owned by nongovernmental actors, the First Amendment plays no role whatsoever in regulating or permitting the shouting; the property owner does. There are sound reasons why shouting fire in a crowded theater is actionable under the law, but the First Amendment is not among them unless the government owns the theater.

I offer this brief background as a prelude to addressing the latest turn of events concerning social media platforms that suppress the speech of which they dont approve. Because the social media companies are nongovernmental actors, they are free to infringe upon the speech of their clients and customers for any reason they choose that does not violate public policy, such as infringement based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or place of origin.

Yet, a nongovernmental actor that enters into a symbiotic relationship with the government may lose its freedom to suppress speech and be subjected to the same restraints as the government.

Thus, Twitter, for example, is free to suppress any speech and any speaker because of the content of the speech, unless it is doing the governments bidding. If it is, if Twitter is doing for the government what the government cannot do on its own suppress speech because of its content and if sufficient evidence of this is properly before a court, the court may very well invoke the state action doctrine, which will impose the restraints of the First Amendment upon Twitter.

I use Twitter as an example because last week two U.S. senators obtained and revealed emails between officials of the Department of Homeland Security and Twitter executives contemplating how Twitter can suppress speech that the DHS believes constitutes mis- or dis- or mal-information. This is dangerous for personal liberty and, frankly, dangerous for Twitter.

The courts have ruled that when a governmental actor here the DHS and a nongovernmental actor here Twitter are so intertwined for their mutual benefit, and someone here those whose speech Twitter has suppressed because of its content is harmed thereby, the courts will impose First Amendment restraints upon the nongovernmental actor.

Lets say you are in Yankee Stadium at a Yankees/Boston Red Sox game and you go to buy a hot dog from a vendor in the stadium and he refuses to sell it to you because you are wearing a Red Sox baseball cap. (In New York, this happens!) Who has punished you for your speech, the private vendor, which is not restrained by the First Amendment, or New York City, which owns the stadium and hired the vendor and which clearly is restrained by the First Amendment?

Since the city provides customers for the vendor and the vendor provides products for the customers and your presence at the game benefits both, and because you dont know whose rule no Red Sox caps allowed is being enforced, there is obviously a symbiotic relationship between the vendor and the city, and thus the First Amendment will restrain the vendor from punishing your speech as if it were the city.

The same may very well be the case for Twitter. The emails released last week revealed the contemplation of a symbiotic DHS/Twitter relationship that, if proven, will harm Twitter severely and expose the government for its attacks on the freedom of speech.

The whole purpose of the First Amendment is to keep the government entirely out of the business of interfering with speech directly or indirectly. Moreover, if Twitter does the governments bidding, and the First Amendment is applied to Twitter, it will lose its private property-generated ability to suppress speech.

The interesting question is not what does the government gain? Governments always want to suppress the speech they hate and fear. The real question is why a social media entity would do the governments dirty work for it. The probable answer is to retain its statutory immunity from liability for what its clients post.

This is what happens when you get in bed with the feds. You wake up with a constitutional headache as well as fleas.

Andrew P. Napolitano is a former professor of law and judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey who has published nine books on the U.S. Constitution.

Continued here:
Twitter and freedom of speech - Washington Times

Posted in Freedom of Speech | Comments Off on Twitter and freedom of speech – Washington Times

Bill of Rights to strengthen freedom of speech and curb bogus human rights claims – GOV.UK

Posted: at 12:37 pm

The Bill will ensure courts cannot interpret laws in ways that were never intended by Parliament and will empower people to express their views freely.

At the same time, it will help prevent trivial human rights claims from wasting judges time and taxpayer money. A permission stage in court will be introduced requiring people to show they have suffered a significant disadvantage before their claim can go ahead.

The Bill will also reinforce in law the principle that responsibilities to society are as important as personal rights. It will do this by ensuring courts consider a claimants relevant conduct, like a prisoners violent or criminal behaviour, when awarding damages.

The Bill will make clear that the UK Supreme Court is the ultimate judicial decision-maker on human rights issues and that the case law of the European Court of Human Rights does not always need to be followed by UK courts.

Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Dominic Raab said:

The Bill of Rights will strengthen our UK tradition of freedom whilst injecting a healthy dose of common sense into the system.

These reforms will reinforce freedom of speech, enable us to deport more foreign offenders and better protect the public from dangerous criminals.

The Bill of Rights will make it easier to deport foreign criminals by allowing future laws to restrict the circumstances in which their right to family life would trump public safety and the need to remove them.

It will mean that under future immigration laws, to evade removal a foreign criminal would have to prove that a child or dependent would come to overwhelming, unavoidable harm if they were deported.

As a result, any new laws will curb the abuse of the system that has seen those convicted of hurting their own partners and children evade removal by claiming it would breach their right to family life in the UK.

The Bill of Rights will also:

This will be achieved while retaining the UKs fundamental commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights.

Read the original:
Bill of Rights to strengthen freedom of speech and curb bogus human rights claims - GOV.UK

Posted in Freedom of Speech | Comments Off on Bill of Rights to strengthen freedom of speech and curb bogus human rights claims – GOV.UK

Twitter and the freedom of speech | Opinion | journal-spectator.com – Wharton Journal Spectator

Posted: at 12:37 pm

Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press. First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

When James Madison authored the language that would become the First Amendment, he and his colleagues feared that the new federal government might enact legislation that would interfere with personal liberty. That fear was shared by many in the 13 states that had just ratified the Constitution. Indeed, five of the states conditioned their ratification on the addition of a Bill of Rights.

Madison who had been the scrivener of the Constitution in 1787, was, by 1791, a member of the House of Representatives and the Houses resident expert on the Constitution was designated by his colleagues as the drafter of the Bill of Rights.

Madisons language in the First Amendments is clear; it only restrains Congress. Yet, recognizing the natural origins of the freedom of speech and aware of the universal governmental animosity to free speech, and taking account of the 14th Amendments imposition of due process upon the states, the courts expanded the scope of the First Amendment so as to impose its restraints upon all government including the president, the judiciary, the states and their subdivisions.

During the Civil War and World War I, presidents Abraham Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson incarcerated folks for their speech and argued that the First Amendment only restrained Congress, not the president. Today, such an argument would be dismissed out of hand in any court.

Today, the First Amendment protects the freedom of speech from all government.

But the First Amendment only restrains the government. It does not restrain private persons, whom lawyers call nongovernmental actors.

The old counterpoint that the First Amendment does not permit shouting fire in a crowded theater is inaccurate. If the theater is owned by nongovernmental actors, the First Amendment plays no role whatsoever in regulating or permitting the shouting; the property owner does. There are sound reasons why shouting fire in a crowded theater is actionable under the law, but the First Amendment is not among them unless the government owns the theater.

I offer this brief background as a prelude to addressing the latest turn of events concerning social media platforms that suppress speech of which they dont approve. Because the social media companies are nongovernmental actors, they are free to infringe upon the speech of their clients and customers for any reason they choose that does not violate public policy, such as infringement based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or place of origin.

Yet, a nongovernmental actor that enters into a symbiotic relationship with the government may lose its freedom to suppress speech and be subjected to the same restraints as the government.

Thus, Twitter, for example, is free to suppress any speech and any speaker because of the content of the speech, unless it is doing the governments bidding. If it is, if Twitter is doing for the government what the government cannot do on its own suppress speech because of its content and if sufficient evidence of this is properly before a court, the court may very well invoke the state action doctrine, which will impose the restraints of the First Amendment upon Twitter.

I use Twitter as an example because last week two U.S. senators obtained and revealed emails between officials of the Department of Homeland Security and Twitter executives contemplating how Twitter can suppress speech that the DHS believes constitutes mis- or dis- or mal-information. This is dangerous for personal liberty and, frankly, dangerous for Twitter.

The courts have ruled that when a governmental actor here the DHS and a nongovernmental actor here Twitter are so intertwined for their mutual benefit, and someone here those whose speech Twitter has suppressed because of its content is harmed thereby, the courts will impose First Amendment restraints upon the nongovernmental actor.

Lets say you are in Yankee Stadium at a Yankees/Boston Red Sox game and you go to buy a hot dog from a vendor in the stadium and he refuses to sell to you because you are wearing a Red Sox baseball cap. (In New York, this happens!) Who has punished you for your speech, the private vendor, which is not restrained by the First Amendment, or New York City, which owns the stadium and hired the vendor and which clearly is restrained by the First Amendment?

Since the city provides customers for the vendor and the vendor provides products for the customers and your presence at the game benefits both, and because you dont know whose rule no Red Sox caps allowed is being enforced, there is obviously a symbiotic relationship between the vendor and the city, and thus the First Amendment will restrain the vendor from punishing your speech as if it were the city.

The same may very well be the case for Twitter. The emails released last week revealed the contemplation of a symbiotic DHS/Twitter relationship that, if proven, will harm Twitter severely and expose the government for its attacks on the freedom of speech.

The whole purpose of the First Amendment is to keep the government entirely out of the business of interfering with speech directly or indirectly. Moreover, if Twitter does the governments bidding, and the First Amendment is applied to Twitter, it will lose its private property-generated ability to suppress speech.

The interesting question is not what does the government gain; governments always want to suppress the speech they hate and fear. The real question is why a social media entity would do the governments dirty work for it. The probable answer is to retain its statutory immunity from liability for what its clients post.

This is what happens when you get in bed with the feds. You wake up with a constitutional headache as well as fleas.

Judge Andrew Peter Napolitano is an American syndicated columnist whose work appears in numerous publications including The Washington Times and Reason. He served as a New Jersey Superior Court judge from 1987 to 1995.

More:
Twitter and the freedom of speech | Opinion | journal-spectator.com - Wharton Journal Spectator

Posted in Freedom of Speech | Comments Off on Twitter and the freedom of speech | Opinion | journal-spectator.com – Wharton Journal Spectator