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PUMA777: Free Credit And Sports Entertainment Combined

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 10:49:00 +0000

In the growing online entertainment industry, PUMA777 stands out for its innovative credit rewards and integration with sports betting. Partnering with platforms like Sportsgaming , PUMA777 provides a new way for sports enthusiasts and slot lovers to enjoy engaging gameplay and rewarding experiences.

Claim Free Credit On PUMA777 Through Heylink

Free credit is a key feature of PUMA777 , offering players a risk-free way to explore the platform. Here are the main methods to claim free credit:

Registration Bonus
- New users who register through Heylink receive free credits to explore various games.
- Ideal for first-time players trying slots and sports betting.
Daily Sign-In Rewards
- Log in daily to claim consistent credit rewards, which accumulate over time for bigger bets.
Deposit Match Bonus
- Enjoy a high-percentage match bonus on your first deposit to double your starting balance.
Referral Program
- Invite friends to join PUMA777 and receive additional rewards for every successful registration and deposit.

These free credits provide a valuable opportunity for players to explore the platform and test different betting strategies.

PUMA777: Trusted And Recognized

Thanks to its reliable services and diverse game offerings, PUMA777 has been recognized by major platforms:

Mamak24
Jomcuci918
KK8

These endorsements highlight PUMA777’s credibility and high standards, making it a trustworthy choice for both slot enthusiasts and sports bettors.

How To Win Big On PUMA777

1. Combine Sports Betting And Games

Use free credits to participate in sports betting. Adjust your strategy based on real-time data for better accuracy, and reinvest winnings into high-reward slot games.

2. Prioritize High RTP Games

Choose slots with high RTP (Return to Player) percentages, such as games offering over 96% RTP, for better chances of long-term rewards.

3. Manage Your Funds Wisely

Set daily betting limits to avoid overspending.
Withdraw winnings promptly when you reach your target to secure profits.

4. Explore Promotions

Check the platform’s promotional page regularly to take advantage of bonus credits or limited-time offers.

Sports And Free Credit : What Makes PUMA777 Unique

By combining sports insights from Sportsgaming with PUMA777’s rewarding credit system, players can enjoy a richer and more engaging experience. The interactive nature of sports betting and the high-reward potential of slot games create multiple layers of entertainment.

If you’re ready to explore this new gaming experience, register through Heylink today to claim your free credit and discover what PUMA777 has to offer!

Creating Cinematic Magic on the Go: A Guide to iMovie for iPhone

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 07:30:00 +0000

Hi there, lover of films! It's time to discover how to create your own smash hit using just your iPhone and the enchanted realm of iMovie. With just a few taps of your fingertips, you can create breathtaking cinematic moments thanks to this instruction. All you need to remember is lights, camera, and action, so let's get started!

How to Launch iMovie on an iPhone

Anyhow, what is iMovie?

To begin, let's familiarize ourselves with iMovie. On your iPhone, it's like having your own personal movie editing wizard. You can make professional-quality movies out of your everyday videos with this handy program. Best feature? It's as easy to use as it gets and won't cost you a cent. Ideal for both novices and seasoned experts.

Downloading and Setting Up iMovie

Ready to embark on your filmmaking adventure? Head over to the App Store, search for iMovie, and give that download button a tap. Once it's nestled in your phone, fire up the app, and voila, you're greeted with an interface so simple you'll wonder why you didn't start sooner.

Crafting Your Cinematic Story

Planning Your Project

Every great movie begins with a plan. Whether you're capturing the essence of a family vacation or weaving a short film, you need a clear vision. Sketch out your storyline, decide on the shots you need, and start gathering those video clips like a pro.

Importing and Organizing Clips

iMovie makes importing clips a breeze. You can add videos from your iPhone's library or even shoot new ones directly within the app. Once you've got your treasure trove of clips, use iMovie's intuitive tools to keep everything neat and tidy.

Editing Like a Pro

Cutting and Trimming

Now, here's where the fun kicks in. iMovie hands you the power to trim, cut, and slice your clips like a true editing maestro. Do you have a dull part? No problem, just snip it out and keep only the juiciest moments.

Adding Transitions

Magic in film hinges on seamless transitions. iMovie provides you with an abundance of tools to ensure a smooth transition between scenes. Try several combinations until you discover the transitions that work well for your tale.

Audio Tracks and Sound FX

In the film industry, sound design is just as crucial as captivating visuals. You may seamlessly add background music to your video using iMovie to enhance the mood. Choose from the pre-installed tracks for a quick solution, or get creative and incorporate your own custom songs to make your cinematic creation truly unique.

Titles and Text

Want to give your movie a polished touch? iMovie offers a bunch of options to introduce scenes, provide context, or add those quirky captions. Let your creativity run wild!

Putting It All Together

Timeline and Sequence

The movie magic truly unfolds in your timeline. Arrange your clips in the right order to craft a coherent story. You can layer audio, sprinkle in voiceovers, and master the pacing of your film like a pro.

Exporting Your Masterpiece

Once your movie gleams and sparkles, it's time to share your masterpiece with the world. iMovie has your back with a smorgasbord of export options. Share your creation on social media, shoot it off in an email, or just save it snugly on your device.

Enhancing Your Narrative Skills

Voiceovers and Narration

Utilise iMovie's voiceover function to narrate your films or to add a personal touch. Simply record your narration within the app and sync it to your videos to complete the process. A stronger connection with your audience may be possible via the use of your voice.

Storyboarding

If your project is more complex, you might want to storyboard your movie. Consider it as outlining the basic structure of your film. This includes arranging the shots, choosing camera angles, creating a storyline, and determining how each scene should seem. It's similar to writing a visual screenplay for your movie; only you have to make sure you remain on course and get the necessary shots.

Advanced Methods of Editing

Green Screen Effects

Have you ever longed to transport your characters to distant locations or add a futuristic touch to your video? iMovie's green screen effects are here to help. It's simple to switch the backdrops to take your audience to a different time or place. Go crazy with your imagination.

Precision Editing

The precision editor is your greatest buddy if you are a stickler for accuracy. You can adjust audio tracks, transitions, and clips all the way down to the frame using it. Here's where you can fine-tune the time of your adjustments, making sure that every second counts.

Teamwork in Filmmaking

Sharing & Cooperation

Making films doesn't always have to be a one-person show. Working together as a team with friends or other filmmakers is a breeze using iMovie. Using iCloud, share your creation with others so they may contribute to the creative process. It's an amazing method to combine skills and produce a real cinematic masterpiece as a team.

Tips and Troubleshooting

Storage Space

Watch out for the monster of storage! On your iPhone, video files may quickly fill up a large amount of space. It is advisable to periodically move your finished creations to an external hard drive or cloud storage to prevent your masterpiece from running out of room. This protects your movies and keeps your smartphone operating properly.

Project Backup

We assure you that you do not want unforeseen events to undo all of your hard work. For this reason, occasionally backing up your iMovie work is a smart idea. It functions similarly to insurance for your artistic endeavors.

Finding Inspiration

Examine the Templates in iMovie

Want a head start, or are you stuck for ideas? The pre-installed templates in iMovie can come to your aid. Pre-designed themes and transitions are included with these templates, providing you with an artistic starting point.

Watch and Learn

Your favorite films and videos frequently make the finest teachers. Spend some time analyzing the films you enjoy most. Take note of the way they tell the tale through their use of music, tempo, and shot composition. You will discover insightful information that will motivate you to create.

Winning Worldwide: Casinos by Country Worth the Trip

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 10:15:00 +0000

Across the globe, from bustling cities to serene coastlines, lies a hidden world of gaming excellence waiting to be explored. While many know the familiar glitz of Las Vegas or the opulence of Monaco, there are countless other destinations where the allure of the dice and the shuffle of cards beckon travelers.

This article uncovers these less-trodden paths, showcasing casinos that are not just about the game, but also about the cultural immersion, the local charm, and the awe-inspiring landscapes. Whether you're a seasoned gambler or a curious wanderer, here's your passport to some of the most captivating gaming experiences the world has to offer.

The High Rollers of North America

Las Vegas, USA: More than Just the Strip

Las Vegas, a name synonymous with glitzy lights and high stakes, is often primarily associated with the iconic Strip. However, the true essence of this desert city extends far beyond this neon-lit boulevard. Delve deeper into Vegas and you'll discover a rich tapestry of history, local haunts, and unique attractions that many visitors overlook.

From the revitalized Downtown area with its vintage charm and arts scene to off-Strip casinos offering a more intimate gaming experience, there's a side to Las Vegas waiting to surprise even the most seasoned of travelers. Whether you're seeking to experience world-class entertainment, delve into the city's mafia past at the Mob Museum, or simply savor the local cuisine, Las Vegas promises a multifaceted journey that's more than just the roll of the dice.

Canada’s Finest: Casino Niagara and Beyond

Canada, often celebrated for its natural wonders and cultural tapestry, also boasts a vibrant gaming scene that stands tall on the North American continent. At the forefront is Casino Niagara, a beacon of entertainment by the roaring Niagara Falls. Yet, this illustrious establishment is merely the tip of the iceberg.

Venture further into the country and you'll encounter a myriad of gaming venues, each reflecting Canada's diverse heritage and landscape. From the grandeur of Casino de Montréal with its architectural marvels to the indigenous-owned casinos that offer a unique blend of traditional and modern gaming experiences, Canada’s casino landscape is as vast and varied as the country itself. For those looking to pair natural beauty with the thrill of the game, Canada is a high roller's dream come true.

Oceania’s Hidden Treasures

New Zealand’s Best: SkyCity Auckland and Christchurch Casino

New Zealand, a land renowned for its stunning landscapes and rich Maori heritage, also houses some of Oceania's most impressive gaming gems. Leading the pack is SkyCity Auckland, an entertainment behemoth set against the backdrop of the city's skyline, offering patrons not just a gaming experience but a panoramic view of urban splendor.

Not to be overshadowed, Christchurch Casino brings to the South Island a blend of elegance, entertainment, and culinary delights, making it a must-visit spot for any gaming aficionado. Interestingly, the rise of online casinos with NZD has allowed locals and tourists alike to capture a piece of New Zealand's gaming flair from the comfort of their homes, further cementing the nation's position as a top gaming destination in Oceania.

Australia’s Crown Jewels: The Star and Crown Casino

In the vast expanse of Oceania, Australia shines brightly as a hub of world-class gaming and entertainment. The Star, with its locations in Sydney, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast, offers a luxury experience that marries gaming with fine dining, live entertainment, and unparalleled vistas of Australia's iconic coastlines and urban landscapes.

Equally compelling is Melbourne's Crown Casino, a veritable palace of gaming and entertainment on the banks of the Yarra River. This sprawling complex not only boasts a vast array of gaming options but also plays host to some of the continent's most exquisite restaurants, boutique shops, and live shows. Together, The Star and Crown Casino are the crown jewels of Australia's vibrant gaming scene, epitomizing the country's commitment to top-tier entertainment and leisure.

European Elegance and Excitement

Monaco’s Grandeur: Casino de Monte-Carlo

Monaco, a jewel nestled along the French Riviera, has long been synonymous with luxury, sophistication, and the high life. At the heart of its glamorous pulse is the Casino de Monte-Carlo, a symbol of European elegance and grandeur. With its Belle Époque architecture and opulent interiors, this iconic establishment isn't just a place to gamble, but an immersive experience into a world of refinement.

Frequented by royalty, celebrities, and the world's elite, the casino offers a blend of traditional and contemporary games, all set against a backdrop of historical allure. Beyond the gaming tables and slot machines, visitors can revel in the exquisite bars, restaurants, and live performances that are as much a part of the experience as the games themselves. In a continent rich with history and culture, the Casino de Monte-Carlo stands as a timeless testament to Europe's penchant for luxury and excitement

The UK’s Gaming Scene: From The Hippodrome to Aspers

The United Kingdom, with its rich tapestry of history and culture, offers a gaming landscape that effortlessly blends the old with the new. At the heart of London's bustling West End lies The Hippodrome, a venerable institution that has gracefully evolved from its vaudeville roots to become one of the city's premier gaming destinations. With its ornate interiors and storied past, it offers a nostalgic yet modern gaming experience, encompassing everything from classic table games to cutting-edge electronic slots.

Meanwhile, Aspers, with its multiple venues across the UK, showcases the contemporary face of British gaming. Boasting expansive spaces, a wide variety of games, and a vibrant atmosphere, it exemplifies the modern gaming ethos. Together, these establishments encapsulate the diversity and dynamism of the UK's gaming scene, offering patrons a unique blend of tradition and innovation.

EA FC 24 Overview: A New Era in Virtual Football

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 06:58:00 +0000

Image source: fifaultimateteam.it

Introduction

The gaming world is excited as Electronic Arts (EA) just released the highly anticipated EA FC 24, a game that promises to redefine virtual football as we know it. Formerly known as FIFA, EA has rebranded its flagship football franchise, highlighting a new era and fresh innovations. In this comprehensive overview, we'll delve into what EA FC 24 has to offer for football enthusiasts and gamers alike.

Here is a little breakdown for our EA FC 24 article:

What is EA FC 24?
EA FC 24 release date
On what platforms can you play EA FC 24?
Why did FIFA change its name to EA FC?
Gameplay improvements
Game Modes
Tips and Tricks to have a smooth start in EA FC 24
Conclusion

What is EA FC 24?

EA FC 24 represents a fresh chapter in the virtual football realm. EA FC 24 is the successor to the FIFA series, and it's the first game in the franchise to be developed without the FIFA license. Despite the name change, the new game still features all of the major leagues and competitions that fans have come to expect, as well as a host of new features and improvements.

EA FC 24 release date

Image source: theloadout.com

The official release date of EA FC 24 was on September 29. However, if you bought the game's Ultimate Edition, you could have had access seven days early.

On what platforms can you play EA FC 24?

You can play EA FC 24 on PC, Xbox, and PS; cross-play is also available between consoles.

Why Fifa changed its name to EA FC?

The FIFA license has been a part of the EA Sports football games since 1993. However, the relationship between EA and FIFA has been strained in recent years. There are several reasons why EA may have decided to drop the FIFA name, such as:

Money - The license is reportedly worth over $1 billion over four years. This is a significant expense for EA, and it's possible that the company decided that it was no longer worth the cost.
Creative Control - The FIFA license comes with many restrictions, and EA may have felt that these restrictions were limiting its ability to innovate.

Gameplay improvements

EA FC 24 features a number of gameplay improvements, including:

HyperMotionV - is a new technology that uses motion capture from real-world matches to create the most realistic and responsive gameplay experience ever. HyperMotionV captures over 4 million animation frames from each match, which is then used to create real player movements and animations.
PlayStyles - is a new system that represents players' on-pitch abilities and gives players unique capabilities. There are 26 PlayStyles in total, and each PlayStyle has its own strengths and weaknesses. For example, the "Creative Playmaker" PlayStyle is good at passing and dribbling, while the "Clinical Finisher" PlayStyle is good at shooting.
Frostbite Engine - EA FC 24 is powered by the Frostbite Engine, the same engine used to power other popular EA games. The Frostbite Engine delivers more realistic environments and smoother transitions, making the game's world more vibrant and dynamic.

Game Modes

Image source: espn.com

EA FC 24 features a variety of game modes to suit all types of players, from casual gamers to competitive esports enthusiasts:

Ultimate Team
Career Mode
Pro Clubs
Volta Football
Kick-Off
Online Seasons
Tournament Mode
FC Pro

Ultimate Team

Ultimate Team is the most popular game mode in EA FC 24, and it allows players to build their own dream team by collecting player cards. Players can earn UT cards by playing matches, completing objectives, or opening packs. UT is a highly competitive mode, and players can compete against each other in Division Rivals, Weekend League, Drafts, and so on.

Winning matches in Ultimate Team can be very challenging; that's why you can opt to go for an EaFc 24 boost and let a professional player achieve any in-game goal on your account lightning-fast.

Career Mode

Career Mode allows players to take control of a club and lead them to glory. Players can choose to manage a real-world club or create their own custom club. Career Mode is a great way to experience the full spectrum of football management, from youth development to transfer negotiations to match tactics.

Pro Clubs

Pro Clubs is a cooperative multiplayer mode where gamers can create their custom player and join a club with up to 11 other players. Pro Clubs teams can compete against each other in ranked and unranked matches. Pro Clubs is a great way to experience playing football with friends.

Volta Football

Volta Football is a street football mode that features fast-paced, skill-based gameplay. Volta players can compete against each other in a variety of different game modes, including matches, tournaments, and challenges. Playing in this game mode is a great way to have fun and show off your skills.

Kick-Off

Kick-Off is a straightforward game mode where players can choose two teams and play a match against each other. Kick-off is a great way to practice your skills, warm up for different challenging game modes, or just have a quick game with friends.

Online Seasons

Online Seasons is a competitive multiplayer mode where players can compete against other players from around the world. Online Seasons players are ranked based on their performance, and they can move up and down the divisions as they win and lose matches. Online Seasons is a great way to test your skills against the best players in the world.

Tournament Mode

Tournament Mode allows players to compete in a variety of different tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League, and the Copa Libertadores.

FC Pro

FC Pro is a new competitive mode in EA FC 24 that is designed for the best players in the world. FC Pro players will compete against each other in various events, and the top players will qualify for the FC Pro World Finals. FC Pro is the perfect mode for players who want to challenge themselves against the best players in the world.

Tips and Tricks to have a smooth start in EA FC 24

Here are some tips and tricks to help you have a smooth start in EA FC 24:

Master the Basics - Before diving into advanced gameplay, make sure you have a solid understanding of the basic controls, including passing, shooting, dribbling, and defending.
Learn the PlayStyles - Familiarize yourself with the different PlayStyles available in EA FC 24.
Practice Skill Moves - Spend time in the skill games or training mode to practice skill moves. Learning to execute them effectively can help you maneuver past defenders and create scoring opportunities.
Manage Stamina - Pay attention to player stamina. Overexerting your players can lead to injuries and decreased performance.
Stay Calm Under Pressure - Maintain composure, especially in close matches. Avoid rushing decisions and maintain focus on your game plan.
Enjoy the Game - Ultimately, remember that gaming is about having fun. Enjoy the immersive football experience that EA FC 24 offers; it doesn't matter if you win or lose.

Conclusion

EA FC 24 represents not just a change in name but a revolution in football gaming. With a plethora of new features, refined gameplay, and immersive modes, this edition promises to be the most comprehensive and enjoyable yet. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or new to the series, EA FC 24 offers something for everyone.

Get ready to experience the virtual football like never before!

The Best E-Sports Teams and Players of 2023: Thriving Performances and Unforgettable Achievements

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 22 May 2023 11:08:00 +0000

In the world of competitive video gaming, the esports scene has transformed into a global phenomenon, captivating millions of enthusiasts worldwide. In 2023 the momentum keeps growing. With jaw-dropping prize pools, esports has established itself and rivals traditional sports. Some of the top events like DOTAs The International, Valorant LOCK//IN, CS:GO BLAST.tv, and the legendary Capcom Cup IX take center stage in the esports calendar of 2023.

As the esports scene continues to gain momentum, industry players like SkyCity have recognized its immense potential and made their mark in the competitive gaming landscape. In 2017, SkyCity made an impressive entry into the esports world by partnering with Let's Play Live Media (LPLM) and establishing New Zealand's first purpose-built esports broadcasting studio in the iconic Sky Tower, a significant step that aligns with the explosive growth and global phenomenon of competitive gaming.

In addition to their physical broadcasting studio, SkyCity expanded its influence in the gaming industry by venturing into the online realm with the launch of SkyCity Online Casino, providing a comprehensive gaming experience that catered to a wide range of players, including esports fans.

Over the past year, certain individuals and teams have left an incredible mark on the esports landscape. Within the realm of Valorant, respect has been earned by the likes of TenZ, ScreaM, and Shroud. Meanwhile, the Capcom Cup has witnessed the rise of legendary fighters, Tokido, Infiltration, Daigo Umehara, Fuudo, and Xian, all standing tall as the cream of the crop.

Defending the ancients better than most N0tail, JerAx, Topson, Cen, and Ana have been doing the most.

We are going to shine the spotlight on some of the teams that have, in recent times, left us in awe.

Natus Vincere (NAVI)

With its name derived from the Latin phrase “born to win”, NAVI is a European esports team founded in 2009. In 2010, NAVI emerged as a dominant force in the esports scene, winning numerous championships and amassing a dedicated fanbase. NAVI expanded into games such as DOTA 2, FIFA, StarCraft II, and League of Legends.

One of NAVI's most notable achievements was their performance at the Valorant LOCK//IN tournament, where they showcased their skills and strategic prowess. This tournament showcased their versatility across different game genres. Throughout its journey, NAVI has participated in over 650 tournaments and has earned an impressive prize pool of over $20 million. NAVI is committed to nurturing young talent through their NAVI Esports Camp to develop the next generation of esports players.

Team Spirit

Team Spirit is a Russian esports Team that has made a name for itself in particularly games like DOTA 2 and CS:GO. Founded in 2015, they have consistently been among the top teams in various tournaments. Team Spirit is known for their impressive performance in DOTA 2. They won The International 2021 and received a record-breaking prize pool of $18 million.

They have secured top-three placements in 190 tournaments.

One of the recent highlights of Team Spirit's performance was in the DPC EEU 2023 Tour. Being undefeated in the 2nd tour and making their way to the tournament’s top.

Looking ahead, Team Spirit has set its sights on The International 2023. Their previous victory and consistent top placements make them among the favorites to perform well in the tournament.

Evil Geniuses

A versatile esports organization founded in 1999, it has established itself as a dominant force in the industry, with over 180 championships across multiple games, including notable victories in DOTA. They have committed to diversity and inclusivity by signing their first mixed-gender VALORANT roster and promoting Christine "Potter" Chi as the first female-identifying coach to win an International Series match in 2023.

Their recent triumph in the BTS Pro Series Season 13 further solidifies their dominance in DOTA 2. Fans and esportsenthusiasts eagerly anticipate Evil Geniuses' performance in upcoming tournaments, as they are positioned as an up-and-coming force in the esports world.

OG is renowned for its achievements in DOTA 2. Establishment in 2015, they have amassed an impressive prize pool of over $37 million. OG started its successful journey with a victory at the inaugural DOTA 2 Major Championship in 2015, where they claimed a $1 million prize. They won back-to-back Valve-sponsored DOTA 2 tournaments, emerging victorious at the Manila Major in June 2016 and the Boston Major in December 2016.

It was The International that defined OG’s legacy. Securing winnings of $ 11 million in 2018 and $15.6 million in 2019. The anticipation for OG's performance in The International 2023 is immense. OG stands as one of the most accomplished teams in DOTA 2 and is a favorite as they prepare for The International 2023,

Team Liquid

Founded in 2000, Team Liquid has amassed an impressive record. Team Liquid has participated in over 2,500 tournaments and won an impressive $43 million in prize money. They excel in various games, including DOTA 2, League of Legends, CS:GO, and more, showcasing their versatility and skill. Their success extends beyond gaming, with ventures like 1UP Studios and Liquipedia. As they look to the future, Team Liquid is expected to continue its success and expand further in 2023.

Conclusion

In the ever-evolving world of esports, 2023 will be a year of exceptional performances and unforgettable achievements. There is high anticipation for favorites and new teams to rise. This year keep an eye out for esports events such as Valorant Masters June 2023, IEM Cologne August 2023, The International October 2023, and Rocket League August 2023.

Dungeons and Dragons: Strongheart and Zarak become two splendid action figures

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 14:13:00 +0000

Dungeons and Dragons

Neca has recently released two new action figures, about 18 cm tall, dedicated to the characters of Strongheart and Zarak, both taken from the Dungeons and Dragons universe.

Dungeons and Dragons , the figure of Strongheart

In the magical world of Dungeons and Dragons , Strongheart is a brave knight who has dedicated his life to justice and good. From the official Neca images it is possible to see how this figure is, in terms of design, a modern reinterpretation of the classic action figures dedicated to the franchise. It differs from previous proposals thanks to today's technological advances, capable of returning a final product full of incredibly realistic details and extraordinary accessories.

--> Photo: ©Neca In this regard, the figure includes a sword and scabbard, a dagger, a shield, a hammer, an articulated visor, a cloth cape and interchangeable hands. Furthermore, since it is an action figure, the character is completely poseable so as to simulate the adventures experienced during the game sessions and therefore make the exhibits in the collection even more interesting.

Ultimates Zarak

Zarak is instead an evil assassin who has no scruples. The Ultimate Zarak figure by Neca is, like the previous proposal, also a modern reinterpretation of the classic Dungeons and Dragons action figures. Like Strongheart, Zarak also has incredibly realistic details and extraordinary accessories. The character comes with a sword, daggers that fit into the sheaths of his belt, a bottle that reproduces a potion, a grappling hook with rope and some interchangeable heads and hands.

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Photo: ©Neca Both figures are currently available for pre-order and will be distributed starting in September 2023. For more images and information, please visit the manufacturer's official website. If you're a Dungeons and Dragons fan, don't miss the opportunity to add these figures to your collection. If, on the other hand, you have yet to enter this magical world, you can find the right manuals for you on Amazon.

Lifetime cloud space discounted by 50%, don't miss it!

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 14:13:00 +0000

Lifetime cloud space discounted by 50%

Cloud space can be seen as the modern version of USB sticks and external hard drives: a space where you can keep a copy of your files, so as not to lose them in the event of damage to your PC, always accessible as long as you have an internet connection. It is something that has been part of our lives for some time now and, if you think about it, many of us use it perhaps without even knowing it: for example, Google Photos for Android and Photos for iOS are apps that save images on the cloud, so as to make them always available to the user but, at the same time, free up space on the device by deleting the older ones from the internal memory.

The main problem with the cloud, however, is precisely the space available, which very often ends quickly. The ideal would be to have many GB available, but to do so you have to pay a monthly subscription, which is not always cheap. Luckily for us, this is not always the case: in fact, starting today, the Internxt cloud service offers cloud space for life with a 50% discount, an offer that is really difficult to miss.

Internxt is a service we have already told you about in the past and that we got to try, being pleasantly surprised. It is accessible both via a web browser and through dedicated apps for PCs, smartphones and tablets, which also allow you to access offline files by choosing which ones to save on the device. The interface is easy to use because it is very intuitive, a feature that makes the service suitable for any type of user, including the most messy: there is a very convenient search function to find files.

--> Another very important point in favor of Internxt concerns privacy and security, held in very strong consideration by the company which adopts a zero-knowledge approach. In this way, the files that will be uploaded to the cloud are encrypted even before upload with an AES-256 CTR model, so that the user is the only one who has the decryption key. Simply put, even if the service were to suffer a hack and your files were stolen, the bad guys would not be able to access them. Then there's the two-factor authentication, which is really essential nowadays.

Added to all this is the convenience of a lifetime license, which you won't have to renew every year. With the huge discount offered by Internxt from today until April 24, you can access the plans at a very affordable price, impossible to miss. Below we leave you the details:

2TB lifetime plan: €150 (instead of €299) 5TB lifetime plan: €250 (instead of €499) 10TB lifetime plan: €500 (instead of €999) In short , a very attractive promotion that allows you to take advantage of a number of essential services nowadays and that will make you say goodbye to the anxiety of not having enough space to backup your phone, keep your data safe or save all your favorite photos, without having to divide them into many different cloud services so you don't have to delete some. If you are interested, please click on the link below for further details and proceed with the purchase.

» See the offer on Internxt «

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Marvel Snap: The best decks with Hit Monkey

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 14:12:00 +0000

Marvel Snap

Welcome to the intense and rich April of Marvel Snap. It's a decidedly disconnected month from the ordinary, as it brings with it some bold updates for the future of the card game, as well as a brilliantly designed card. Going forward, Marvel Snap will boast a buff and nerf patch every Thursday. A sensational news if we think that the lack of constant support has always been a curse for other titles of its kind. Every gamer dreams of this kind of care and support, so there's great anticipation for the fate of the Second Dinner creation. At the beginning of April, however, the new card was released in the usual season pass: Hit Monkey.

Its arrival was widely appreciated by many enthusiasts, who for several weeks had already been buzzing about its possible uses in terms of deckbuilding. The card, which comes with zero power and 2 energy cost, has a unique power of its kind. She will gain +2 strength for every other card played with her this turn. It goes without saying that its flexibility allows it to find space in the combination of many existing decks, but also unexpected synergies. Here are some decks that are doing very well online with Hit Monkey and some of our suggestions. We remind you that if you are interested we have also made the complete guide to Marvel Snap with all the tips and decks.

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THE BANANAS OF ASGARD

Wasp Yellowjacket Ant-Man Bast Adam Warlock Angela Hit Monkey Mysterio Bishop Thor Valkyrie Jane Foster The Mighty Thor The first deck we offer you with Hit Monkey is rather atypical. Deciding what to rank in this guide is very complicated, but we assure you that this creation has a very high probability of bringing home many cubes. It's basically a very fast deck, incorporating some key elements of the existing Bounce deck. Bast, Angela, Mysterio and Bishop are among the most powerful cards ever to complement our little monkey and allow for very solid turns right from the start. Secondly, the structure of the deck was designed to find an important victory condition in the two Thors.

On the one hand, putting Mjolnir in the deck empowers Thor, but it also allows you to have an extra card to play with Hit Monkey. The presence of many cards at no cost therefore wants to validate the engine of the deck, i.e. Mighty Thor , and make it an incredible tool in turn 5. In the last turn it will be enough for you to use all the low cost cards and enhance Angela and Bishop on the field to win, perhaps together with Hit Monkey.

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THE NEGATIVE MONKEY

Bast Adam Warlock Hit Monkey Psylocke Ironheart Mystique Gambit Wolfsbane Mister Negative Wong Iron Man Magik Every time we see zero power on a new card in Marvel Snap we can only think of Mister Negative. It's one of the most fun deck-building cards in the entire game. The goal is to bet on him in turn 4, and then benefit from the discounted cards drawn. Hit Monkey, in this sense, would become a free draw after Mr Negative and could be played in combos with many other cards. If you fail to arrive at this combination during the game, you can take advantage of cards like Wong and Gambit to win in another way .

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THE MONKEY ROCK

The Hood Bast Iceman Korg Angela Hit Monkey Black Widow Beast Falcon Bishop Darkhawk America Chavez Every Marvel Snap meta we know for sure that Darkhawk will find the space of him somehow. In this version of the Bounce (deck that uses effects to take cards back into hand) we offer you a very strong interaction to enhance both Darkhawk and Hit Monkey. The mammoth presence of characters like Beast and Falcon gives enormous value and Korg , so as to do it again and again. After a few turns you will have already placed many rocks in the opponent's deck and Darkhawk will be more than happy about it. America Chavez is also an important piece, because it guarantees a last thick turn to take impossible locations or make up for the lack of the monkey.

THE JUMPING MONKEY

The Hood Bast Iceman Angela Hit Monkey Black Widow Beast Falcon Bishop Enchantress Valkyrie America Chavez This is the most classic Hit Monkey list in all of Marvel Snap. Already many days before its release there were discussions about how to enhance the card and almost everyone agrees with this pack of characters. Beast and Falcon remain the two engines of the deck to generate value and more disruptive turns, while Bishop and Angela want to maintain their presence in the locations. We also decided to include Enchantress and Valkyrie to prevent the deck from losing from Shuri and other very annoying continuous effects. The essence of Shang-Chi is, unfortunately, hard to sustain, so you'll need cards that can counter the best of opponents' plays.

THE APE TITAN

Sunspot Human Torch Iron Fist Hit Monkey Cloack Vulture Shang-Chi Enchantress Miles Morales Vision America Chavez Thanos This deck is our original proposal and wishes to address two important shortcomings of Hit Monkey decks: reaching impossible locations and fishing efficiently. A mini department of cards that can move will allow you to better manage the space on the playing field and also score many points unexpectedly. Iron Fist and Cloack are among the best low-cost cards, which boast the effect of being able to move characters to other locations. Thanos, on the other hand, will grant you his precious gems and, therefore, a high game speed. Gems are very useful to enhance Hit Monkey even more, thin out the deck and offer stability of their own, without the need for particular cards in combos.

City of Angels was more than a trivial melody (but it was not understood)

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 14:12:00 +0000

City of Angels turns 25, and it remains one of those films of which it is still difficult for critics and the public to speak well, or finally to speak badly. What is certain is that it cannot leave us indifferent, perhaps because we understand that it is more than it seems, but perhaps it was less than it could have been. Strengthened by a captivating cast and aesthetics, Silberling's film enjoyed a commercial success which, however, was not counterbalanced by a universally favorable opinion from critics. And yet, after so many years, the feeling of an inexplicable charm remains, which goes beyond aesthetics, to embrace an identity as simple as it is effective: that of a film on the importance of living one's life to the fullest.

A story far from its time

City of Angels is one of the quintessential romantic films of the 90s, while remaining something very different from a mere commercial operation, as well as from a remake.

Wim Wenders with Sky Over Berlin had in all probability reached his peak as an author six years earlier, proving to be capable of creating a poignant narrative centered on a place, Berlin, and on a particular moment in the his story. Wenders had set himself up as a narrator of the relationship between man and imperfect everyday life, however above all creating a metaphor of divided Germany after the Second World War. Brad Silberling with City of Angels recovered the soul of Wenders' operation, however adapting it to a film that spoke above all of death, of rebirth, of America that ran perhaps too quickly and superficially towards the 21st century dominated by technology and superficiality. But above all, he decided to create a love story far from the clichés of his time.

Silbering brought everything to the Los Angeles of that time, following the path of fallen angel Seth (Nicolas Cage) and Maggie (Meg Ryan), destined to cross. Seth is enchanted by the willpower with which Maggie, a surgeon, tries in every way to save lives. In her he sees the possibility of understanding humanity, which she has been observing for an eternity, but whose essence escapes him and at the same time fascinates. It will be at that moment that he will decide to take the leap, to stop being an angel and apply his free will to become human, facing a flood of unknown sensations and experiences. All while an atypical love story develops between him and Maggie, with her as his guide and vice versa. As in Wenders' film, Seth is not one of the many places to observe from above, in every sense, that humanity that swarms under him, that world created by the Almighty from which, however, he escapes due to his location, almost everything worth knowing.

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Paradoxes and contradictions

City of Angels was once defined by critics as a purely commercial operation, a sort of sacrilege to a great European metaphysical and cultural fresco. But was it really like that? Does focusing on feelings really mean just talking about them? A vision that appears to be tainted by an intolerance towards Silberling's desire to make here triumph over elsewhere. The paradox is that in several moments, the film almost seems to suggest the opposite, but on a closer look, what Seth does is try in every way to detach himself from the concept of immortality distant from humanity, and enjoy the now and now, of this world so fleeting and uncontrollable. Moreover, it was a moment in which the New Age still reigned, in perfect contrast with the desire for an alternative spirituality to the dogmas that had dominated up to that moment. And of all this tribulation both Seth and Maggie were symbols.

We absolutely do not want to compete between two completely different works at the level of artistic conception, but also of semantics and semiotics. However, City of Angels is anything but a superficial film, especially within that universe which were the various romantic comedies or dramas, which in the 90s experienced a surge not always accompanied by a quality up to par. When Harry Met Sally, Pretty Woman, Notting Hill, A Love of His Own were films that often followed obvious and not very daring plots. The paradox is that Meg Ryan, America's sweetheart, would have known a unique popularity with this genre, of which this film was also an undeniable attempt to elevate it. Nicolas Cage, if today he is grappling with a wonderfully anarchic and over the top career, at the time he was above all a sex symbol and an action star plagued by lack of consideration. In City of Angels he had under the top, vulnerable acting for one of the coolest characters of his career.

Seth moves continuously towards enlightenment, he does it with a continuous downward movement, even in the sea, seeking the truth in the human being and in our conception of the divine. Basically he escapes from a fence, from a prison, but without the corrupting collapse mentioned by the Devil's Advocate for example, as was Bruno Ganz for Wenders, he does not deny what he was but I have to leave him to be something else. In this, City of Angels, while lacking the grace of the words created for Wenders by Peter Handke, remains an essential tale of personal rediscovery of the meaning of life. It also applies to Maggie, who thanks to Seth will be able to find joy in life again, something perhaps very Hollywood but not despicable for this. If the Sky Above Berlin showed us the German capital where the stench of death, of destruction still lingered, the heavy division into East and West that would soon fall, Silberling's film moved everything to America in constant change .

The set was not set in the Big Apple, the film city par excellence in the United States, but in the city of angels precisely, the strongest symbol of opposition that the America has. The rubble of the National Socialist dream was contrasted here with a city that was adorned with wonderful sunsets, described by those almost unreal colors that seemed to come from commercials, video clips, from the 90s cinema that revolutionized everything. City of Angels, however, reminded us that no city was more representative of the America of those years than Los Angeles. It had been like this for a long time, with that contrast between Hollywood, the myth, the best of movie and music stars, and then crime, drug traffickers, poverty, the various ghettos from which African-American artists would emerge who would change the narration. Only a few years earlier the city had given way to a series of riots that had in fact unleashed a kind of biblical apocalypse on the streets, due to the beating of Rodney King .

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Telling love

The story of Seth and Maggie was enhanced by a city whose however we received a minimal portrait often, almost distant and stylized, to symbolize a link with the sky that already starts from this world, from this earth. Of course, Seth moves as a symbol of man's distrust of God, of elsewhere, which does not count, counts on that beginning of technocracy, the now, what we see, hear, touch, understand. Hemingway and other authors are quoted, we move from heaven to darkness, from top to bottom, however this must not and cannot make us forget that City of Angels is above all a great love story, a great act of mutual understanding .

Seth makes Meggie understand that there is an elsewhere, understood as another way of conceiving oneself, while she teaches him how important this material reality is, however ephemeral and fleeting. Perhaps the greatest quality of City of Angels, however, was in its ability to be humble in any case, not to weigh everything down, above all to never lose control.

At 25 years old away, Silberling, who has always narrated of death, rebirth and salvation, remains the author of a film that is striking for its delicacy, for how it describes this love story. Of course, it can also be accused of idealization, of an excess of sugar compared to Wenders' transcendence, but deep down it represents everything we would want from a sentimental relationship: the discovery of something new, the possibility of starting afresh with someone who makes us discover new parts of ourselves and of the universe around us. City of Angels is a very pop film, but compared to its followers in recent years, it emerges disarmingly head-on, net of some small naiveties in the screenplay. City of Angels was a film that, more than making us fall in love with the idea of falling in love, explained how to fall in love with change. Something that some might even find simplistic, except that in everyday life it is precisely what we often and willingly lack.

Porn, in more and more countries you need an ID to watch it online

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 14:12:00 +0000

Porn

For about three months now, anyone living in Louisiana and opening Pornhub has been faced with a new requirement: according to state laws, American who wants to watch pornography must prove that they are over eighteen years old . Before accessing the site, in fact, you are directed to a government platform where you can provide an identity document. The move comes as a result of new laws aimed at preventing children from viewing sexually explicit content. But that's just the beginning: the online age verification industry in the United States is buzzing. Since January, three other US states — Mississippi, Virginia and Utah — have copied Louisiana's approach, passing their own versions of age-verification laws. According to a recent analysis, 11 more states — from Virginia to California — have proposed regulations requiring users to confirm their age before they can watch content featuring explicit sex scenes, some of which are expected to go into effect in the coming months.

Protecting minors

But this is not a purely US phenomenon. Efforts are underway across the western world to introduce more age controls on the internet. As of 2020, regulators in Germany and France are pushing administrators of porn sites to introduce methods of verifying the age of users, and the United Kingdom and Australia are also developing their own laws on the subject. These measures follow the introduction of stricter safety standards to protect minors.

The Internet is not a place for children. However, introducing biographic verification across the web is a complex and technical issue. In 2019, the UK abandoned a multi-year plan to introduce verification methods, after experiencing numerous problems. Porn is a very sensitive subject: our preferences in the matter are extremely personal, while online data leaks can have devastating consequences. Privacy advocates, porn companies, and some regulators argue that there are significant problems with the introduction of background checks. " Concerns related to young people's access to adult websites are real and widespread; less widespread is the understanding of the limits of the various age verification tools and the new dangers they could pose – says Irina Raicu, director of the Internet Ethics Program at Santa Clara University's Markkula Center – Many regulators appear to view birth verification as a solved problem, while technologists and privacy activists, including those concerned with child protection, are instead trying to explain that it's not like that.”

For years, the only thing preventing access to online porn were little checkboxes asking users to confirm that they were of legal age. However, laws proposed around the world provide for stricter controls. Dozens of personal verification companies have recently sprung up, adopting different methods. Age can be confirmed by credit card information, a facial scan, or, as is often suggested, by checking government-issued identification documents, such as passports or driver's licenses. The verifications can be carried out by third-party companies, without sensitive information being transmitted directly to Pornhub and other portals. A European Commission document describes nine different age verification methods, some sophisticated, others very low-tech.

From theory to practice

“ Different methodologies have been approved – explains Mike Stabile , director of Public Affairs of the Free Speech Coalition – but the actual implementation and how they will work are still mysterious". According to Stabile, the porn industry is not averse to age-checking visitors to its websites, but some laws are vague and don't explain how controls should be implemented or whether all companies are required to introduce the technology. Take the case of Louisiana. The law requires websites that have at least 33 percent adult content to Verify the age of visitors In both France and Germany, regulators in recent years have asked major pornography sites to implement age verification by taking offenders to court. Germany in particular has sought to block porn site xHamster and is now taking individual porn creators to court who post adult content on sites that do not provide age verification, such as Twitter.

” Although there are several proposed age verification laws around the world, so far we are not aware of any that achieve the goal of protecting children from online material that is inappropriate for their age,” says a spokesperson for MindGeek, owner of Pornhub and other major adult sites like YouPorn and Redtube. The company says MindGeek in Louisiana is among the few that comply with the state's rules, and that the law has simply "pushed traffic to adult platforms with fewer safety measures." “ To achieve tangible results and safeguard the interests of the youngest, it is imperative to regulate not only individual websites, but the industry as a whole,” comments Alex Hawkins, vice president of porn website xHamster.

Also while lawmakers and regulators are pushing for population control, that doesn't mean users will use the new systems. For widespread adoption, people need to trust . "Forcing users to provide more sensitive information than they previously did is fundamentally against privacy," says Daly Barnett, a technologist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. never a certain assumption – they would still go against the basic privacy needs of the everyday internet user.” Some regulators agree with this view. The French personal data regulator, the CNIL (Commission nationale de l'informatique et des libertés), considered one of the most authoritative in Europe, analyzed the privacy protection of current age verification systems and found them deficient . In July 2022, the commission examined the existing population control measures and declared them to be " circumventable and intrusive ".

The CNIL is experimenting with a system in which a third party, such as a bank or provider of energy, authenticates a person's identity and age. Using encryption, the system creates a digital signature proving a user's age and then shares the information with the porn website. The French authorities have stated that they intend to introduce a government application that would allow this system to work. Simone van der Hof, professor of law and digital technologies at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, studied age verification systems under the GDPR and found that they do not comply with the European data regulation. According to Van der Hof, an age verification system should only confirm if a user is of legal age, and does not need the other information contained in a passport document. As an example, the professor refers to a system in the Netherlands which works in a similar way to the one suggested by the CNIL. However, many may not want their bank to confirm to a porn site that they are of legal age, even if the bank does not share personal information and merely approves; or they may not have the patience to go through this process when they want to access adult content.

And while age verification systems can be introduced successfully, finding ways around them isn't necessarily difficult. Reddit, Twitter and other social media sites are often not covered by laws requiring age verification on porn sites, even though adult content is easily accessible on these platforms. VPNs and the Tor anonymity service can help people bypass the rules of a region or country. Research by the University of Munich found that young people who regularly access porn sites are familiar with these methods and know how to use them. As governments around the world seek to improve online security, walls are being raised elsewhere to hinder it. The UK's controversial online safety law may require social media companies to verify the age of their users, while France's age-check measures also affect social media. Google may require personal data verification for YouTube and its other services. In Japan, people must provide documents proving they are of legal age to use Tinder. Instagram makes an age estimate based on video selfies, confirmation of friends, and IDs. On the Internet, it doesn't matter who you are, only how old you are.

This article originally appeared on sportsgaming.win US.

All shades of Leonardo DiCaprio

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 14:12:00 +0000

It's time for great cinema on Sky and NOW with the Leonardo DiCaprio Mania initiative which starts on April 11th and ends on the 14th dedicated to the entire collection of films by Leonardo DiCaprio, the multifaceted actor and since superfine talent who could be considered the brightest star in Hollywood. To say it is his historic actor, with a long series of productions in which he has often participated as a protagonist and on other occasions wearing the role of the villain. A dream career, that of Leo, one of the most iconic and best of the many that Hollywood can boast. If there is one characteristic that has always characterized a protagonist of modern cinema, it is his skill. Someone would also mention charisma, as it is needed when it comes to having to play high caliber characters, such as Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street or the wealthy landowner Calvin Candie in Django Unchained , a ruthless and cruel slaver with very few good intentions .

Leonardo DiCaprio, during his thirty-year career, has participated in no less than forty-two films and taken part in complex roles. Well before he made himself known in William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet alongside a very young Claire Danes, the Los Angeles prodigy took part in Parents in Blue Jeans, an American sitcom divided into seven seasons which between 1985 and 1992 made drive a disproportionate number of spectators crazy. But let's proceed in order.

Discovering Leonardo DiCaprio's career

Story of a legendary talent Leonardo DiCaprio is still today the future

Story of a legendary talent

Born on November 11th of 1974, his first appearance was on television in the child-friendly program Romper Room, later appearing in Santa Barbara and first appearance in the b-movie Critters 3 . At just seventeen, alongside the legendary Robert De Niro, he plays a little boy in Want to Start Over. A year later, teaming up with Johnny Depp, he takes part in a complex role, playing a disabled boy in the drama Happy Birthday Mr. Grape, showing his talent to critics and the public, obtaining a Golden Globe nomination and another at the Oscars for best actor.

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The young Leonardo DiCaprio, already considered a star waiting to explode, also figured in The Quick to Die, a western film in which he played The Kid, to then take part in Back from Nowhere and in Poets from Hell, who were not appreciated by critics or spectators. However, he was chosen to play Romeo Montecchi in Romeo + Juliet , a modern key to the tragedy composed by the English playwright William Shakespeare.

--> Leonardo DiCaprio's first years in the cinema that counts were punctuated by pleasant encounters with other actors, which made him grow from role to role, and thanks to some of them he understood that to make his way it was necessary to take all the necessary time and maintain one's humility, a value that has never failed. Even though he had lost an opportunity in his life, refusing a prestigious role because he still didn't feel up to it, he was involved in the film The Iron Mask in 1997, inspired by the novel the Vicomte de Bragelonne, securing a Razzie Award for his role of King Louis and Prince Philip. In the meantime, however, that period was punctuated by an extraordinary success that would further elevate his career: Titanic.

Playing the young Jack Dawson, a fictional character aboard the most famous ocean liner in pop culture, he ensures the future , obtaining a success that will lead him towards as many noteworthy films , participating in an episode of Celebrity . And after a sabbatical year, it's time for The Beach , a controversial film, based on the novel by Alex Garland. The meeting with Martin Scorsese, his current friend and confidant, will be decisive for future productions, which will pave the way for him thanks to Gangs of New York, a brutal and violent film alongside the legendary Daniel Day-Lewis. As if he still doesn't have enough, he will play the role of Frank Abagnale in Catch Me If You Can with Tom Hanks .

--> The period of Shutter Island will arrive alongside Michelle Williams and the meeting with Christopher Nolan, at the time appreciated director of the trilogy of The Dark Knight, appearing in yet another important role in Inception and shortly after in Django Unchained with Quentin Tarantino as the cruel Calvin Candie. Leonardo DiCaprio then took part in The Great Gatsby , ending up once again in the arms of Martin Scorsese in The Wolf of Wall Street in the elegant tuxedo of Jordan Belfort, the iconic protagonist of the American scene following the never forgotten Black Monday of 1987, which shaking the markets almost like the crash of '29 .

After almost twenty years of career, he gets his first Oscar ever with Revenant – Reviving, breaking a curse that had lasted for far too long. In this sense, Leonardo DiCaprio was the only actor who had not yet secured the most prestigious award ever, and had often been overtaken by other colleagues. In 2016 he will travel around the world in Point of no return – Before the Flood, telling viewers about the complex issue of global warming, which he considers a decisive battle to be won before it's too late. Together with Brad Pitt, he returns to work for Quentin Tarantino in Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood, playing the role of Rick Dalton, a former western film actor. His latest film, released in 2020, is instead the wonderful arthouse film Don't Look Up in which he plays Dr. Mindy, an astronomer who studies dead galaxies and teaches a university faculty, learning that a Comet is on a collision course with planet Earth.

Leonardo DiCaprio is still the future today

A courageous affirmation, you might say. And it is, indeed. Leonardo DiCaprio, in his long artistic journey, was able to project his talent into every personality that he found himself impersonating. One of his best interpretations, as complex as it is articulated and carefully studied, concerns Jay Gatsby, a businessman, a mogul and a philanthropist who tries to recover a lost love, organizing parties and buying expensive clothes, chatting with prestigious men of the New York of the 1920s.

In addition, this film sees him once again alongside Baz Luhrmann , with whom he worked in the past on the modern take on Romeo + Juliet . What can we say, in fact, about his role in this film? In a theatrical and dramatic guise, the Australian director's work brought to light a talent that was blossoming, and to which he gave valuable advice to increase their skills. Leonardo DiCaprio is simply still the future today because he is a flexible, intelligent and mature actor. A modern actor capable of using correct and detailed language. And that he demonstrated, especially working with James Cameron and Christopher Nolan, all his acting skills, and even a little more. The certainly known characteristics, especially in his roles, concern sad and tormented characters, who discover through events and worries the way to correct themselves and proceed with their own lives. A recognizable trait is hope, with Leonardo DiCaprio who played the last, the humans and the loneliest .

If there is an actor who has played more characters, tried approaches and often changed scripts more than anyone else , this is Leonardo DiCaprio, a talent who, even today, knows how to speak to the camera in a completely unique and personal way, a result achieved only by Christian Bale. Throughout his long career, he has played complex roles and worked with Hollywood's most important directors, learning the best and defining his own path in the world of cinema as Jack Nicholson and a few others have succeeded. On the other hand, a real legend doesn't need to measure his skill, even after all these personal and professional achievements.

We realized it immediately after its release of Don't Look Up , which initially few had understood effectively. Although it is a recently released film, the latter has an importance of him, because Leonardo DiCaprio has shown all his talent especially in the Adam McKay production. And he revealed an unparalleled humanity, when he explained the film's themes to those who didn't understand it in a video on the official Netflix channel to raise people's awareness of the most delicate issues.

From an actor like that, we couldn't expect better, and just look at his acting portfolio to realize it. He has played the last, the lovers and the fugitives, the redeemed and the desperate, the wicked and the good. He was a broker, a lawyer without a law degree, a reckless man on the Titanic and was a scientist with panic attacks and fear for the future. Leonardo DiCaprio can only be wished another thirty years of the genre. Indeed, even more .

Human rights, we are taking big steps backwards

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 14:11:00 +0000

Human rights

Two years of pandemic and the arrival of war on Europe's doorstep have generated a global energy crisis and favored a further fracture of an already weakened multilateral system. This is what emerges from Amnesty International's 2022-2023 Report, which meticulously photographs the situation of human rights in 156 countries around the world.

The “double standards” of the West

“ After two years of a global pandemic and the countdown on climate change becoming ever more rapid, the return of war in Europe has shown a world increasingly unprepared to face global crises. Our Report first highlights the double standards that exist around the world on human rights and the inability of the international community to unite around consistently applied human rights and universal values. The united West's response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine contrasts with the lack of meaningful action against serious violations by some of its allies, including Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt and with the silence regarding the crimes against humanity perpetrated by China against Muslim minorities ”. Thus Emanuele Russo, President of Amnesty International Italy, presenting the Annual Report. “ Great powers like China - continues Russo - must no longer have the possibility of circumventing the system of international protection of rights, and to achieve this result we can only re-launch our proposal for the reform of the United Nations Security Council, which foresees the end of the right of veto by the five permanent member states and a greater space given to all the States party to the Organization, starting from the global south, also including the international movements for the defense of human rights".

Eliana Bello and Emanuele Russo, Director General and President of Amnesty International Italy

The report also underlines the difference in treatment between refugees fleeing from Ukraine and those affected by serious human rights violations in other areas of the planet. The US has welcomed tens of thousands of Ukrainians, but its anti-black racist policies and practices have resulted in the expulsion, between September 2021 and May 2022, of more than 25,000 people who fled Haiti, subjecting them to torture and other abuse. Even the states of the European Union, which have welcomed the Ukrainian men and women fleeing, have instead closed their doors to those fleeing the war and repression in Syria, Afghanistan and Libya. “The responses to the Russian invasion of Ukraine - explains Agnès Callamard, secretary general of Amnesty International - have told us something about what can be done when there is the political will to do it: global condemnation, crime investigations, open borders to refugees. Those responses must be a handbook on how to deal with all the massive human rights violations.”

Suppressing dissent

One of the Report's focuses is on suppressing dissent through the use of forms of violence and censorship, a constantly growing phenomenon in the West as well. For this reason, the Organization requests that a binding international treaty be drawn up and approved which prohibits instruments intrinsically capable of violating human rights and which subjects the trade in so-called less lethal weapons, intended for the use of force in contexts of public order or custody, human rights checks. "Peaceful protests - explains Riccardo Noury, spokesman for Amnesty International Italy - are the most impressive tool for claiming rights and requesting change: see what is happening in Israel. Governments fear and repress them. For this reason, we have launched a campaign calling for recognition of the right to peaceful protest and an end to repressive policies".

Riccardo Noury, Spokesman for Amnesty International Italy

To understand the phenomenon, some data are released: in Unlawful use of force against peaceful protesters was reported in 85 of the 156 states surveyed, less lethal weapons were used in 67 states, and lethal weapons were used in 35 states. unsuitable equipment for public order purposes, military forces were used for public order purposes during protests in 31. Unlawful killings of protesters occurred in 33 states.

Other forms of deterrence and limitation of the right to demonstrate are widespread: procedures for authorizing demonstrations have been introduced in 62 states, new laws have been adopted to limit protests in 29 states, the use of emergency powers and arbitrary arrests of protesters occurred in 79 states. The repression of dissent also travels online: in at least 26 states access to the internet and social media has been limited to hinder protests, while biometric surveillance has been used against protesters in 14. " Then - continues Noury - there are more subtle means: protests are also hindered by confining them to the suburbs, placing excessive burdens on the organizers, such as the obligation to authorize or deposit deposits and imposing a criminalizing or stigmatizing narrative". br>

Patriarchy

Human rights violations hit women the hardest and undermine fundamental rights such as abortion.The report puts the spotlight on the United States, where the Supreme Court annulled a constitutional guarantee allowing several states to enact restrictive laws and taking the country back half a century.And the violence against women continues in Pakistan, where the parliament has not approved a law on domestic violence despite the fact that there have been several murders of women by of family members and in India , where both cases of violence against Dalit and Adivasi women and hate crimes against castes have gone unpunished. The situation in Afghanistan is very serious, where the return of the Taliban has caused a serious setback in the rights of women and girls to personal autonomy, education, work and access to public spaces and obviously in Iran, where the "police morale” arrested Mahsa (Zina) Amini for a lock of hair outside her veil: the woman died a few days later as a result of torture and her death gave rise to nationwide protests in which many other women and girls were arrested, wounded and killed.

Ilaria Masinara, campaign director of Amnesty International Italy

“ Women and girls - explains Ilaria Masinara , campaign director of Amnesty International Italy - have been at the forefront of protests, often challenging patriarchal control over their bodies, their lives, their choices and their sexuality on behalf of the state, society and the family. For many of them, protest is the only way to regain possession of their voice, thought and public space in a widespread context of systemic discrimination. A powerful example of this is the wave of mobilizations sweeping across Iran that state agents are brutally repressing, including by resorting to rape and other forms of sexual violence, including electric shocks to the genitals and threats of rape, against of the people who demonstrate, adults as well as minors, to weaken their resistance, humiliate them, punish them and extract confessions ”.

Italy's steps backwards

Even in Italy the situation is not certain of the best and above all there are no improvements. “ 2022 - says Eliana Bello, General Manager of Amnesty International Italy - was a year of missed opportunities, where respect for human rights underwent a constant but progressive deterioration, which nevertheless presents itself, in our opinion, as the result of policies that start from afar and which laid the foundations for the violations we are witnessing today. I wish 2022 would bring with it the passage of a bill to introduce the word 'consent' on rape into the Italian legal system, to strengthen safeguards against violence against women, in compliance with international obligations assumed by Italy with the ratification of the Istanbul Convention; all this while feminicides and episodes of violence against women continued to be perpetrated. 2022, on the other hand, was the year in which it is still difficult for women to have an abortion, due to the numerous conscientious objectors, who in some territories even border on 100% of the doctors-gynecologists. I would have liked to remember 2022 as the year of the citizenship reform, awaited for years by over a million minors, children of foreign parents born and/or raised in Italy. Minors who have attended the same schools as us and who in other countries in Europe would have been recognized as citizens of that country, without hesitation. I would have liked to remember 2022 as the year in which Italy acquired a national authority for the protection and promotion of human rights, 30 years after the signing of UN resolution 48/134, instead we are the only country in the European Union, with Malta, not to have one. Instead, 2022 was the year in which the Memorandum of Understanding between Italy and Libya on migration and border control was renewed for another three years, in defiance of the documented and persistent serious violations of by Libyan security forces, armed groups and militias”.

The first measures approved by the government led by Giorgia Meloni are harsh: “ 2022 - explains Eliana Bello - was the year in which the new government, as its first act, introduced a new crime which punishes the invasion of private property with the aim of organizing musical gatherings or having other entertainment purposes, considered dangerous for public health and safety. This new situation could be detrimental to the right of assembly and freedom of expression. The excessive use of force by the police continued, on the occasion of some demonstrations, often accompanied by the use of less lethal weapons, as in the case of students beaten while demonstrating due to deaths during school-work alternation . Nothing or very little has been done to protect the environment and combat climate change. And so 2022 was also the year of environmental disasters and the lack of legislative reforms to protect the environment".

Samsung Smart TV, here's a code for an extra 15% discount!

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sun, 09 Apr 2023 14:16:00 +0000

Samsung Smart TV

Are you looking for a smart TV that allows you to access the best streaming content with bright colors, absolute blacks and great contrast? No fear! Samsung has seen fit to inaugurate a new and interesting initiative that allows you to buy many televisions at decidedly low prices and with our discount code you can get an extra 15% cut.

Read also: Smart TV | The best of 2023 The list of promotional products is quite varied but, among the various offers, we strongly advise you to get your hands on the 55-inch Samsung Neo QLED, in particular the QE55QN85BATXZT model. Originally sold for €1,499.00, it is now available for “only” €999.00, thanks to a discount of €500.00 from the Korean manufacturer's recommended price. With the " PROMOTV " discount code, valid until April 30th, the cost drops further to €849.15.

We are talking about a television from last year, but it will certainly be able to give a lot of satisfaction to series fans television or to those who want to play video games in the living room. First, it has a large 55-inch panel with 4K UltraHD resolution, making it an ideal solution for medium-sized homes.

On top of that, this TV is a real its concentrate of technology, starting from the Quantum Matrix Technology system, able to give ever more intense colours, lights and shadows, in any circumstance thanks to the exclusive Quantum Mini LEDs by Samsung. Under the hood, however, we find Samsung's Neo Neural Quantum 4K processor which, by combining 20 multilayer neural networks, is able to analyze the images creating three-dimensional depth.

Clearly, it also boasts audio technologies and an integrated hub , fluid and minimalist, to watch the best multimedia and television content. In short, a smart TV to be taken into strong consideration, considering its technical specifications and its new selling price. Having said that, we just have to send you back to purchasing the product, inviting you to consult the Samsung page dedicated to the promotion.

Furthermore, before completing your purchase, we strongly suggest that you also subscribe to our three channels Telegram dedicated to offers, with specific channels dedicated to: Offers, Hardware & Tech and Clothing and Sport. Happy shopping!

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Outdoor pools: discover the Yeppon offers on the best around!

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sun, 09 Apr 2023 14:15:00 +0000

Outdoor pools

Now that spring has arrived and as the days get hotter and hotter, spending time outdoors with friends and family will become a habit. For some it will be time to start and think again about their outdoor swimming pool, for others it could be an opportunity to install one for the first time in their garden, with which to have fun and cool off.

For this reason, we we advise you to consult the offers made available by Yeppon regarding a series of outdoor pools. The price cuts applied by the store concern the Intex models, the leading brand in the sector. Thanks to these excellent discounts, you too will be able to enjoy a little luxury without having to spend a fortune.

The proposals take into account the best produced so far by Intex, i.e. swimming pools belonging to the range XTR Frame, but also quite compact models, suitable for medium-small gardens. You can then evaluate round or rectangular pools, with dimensions starting from 2 meters up to 9 meters in length. There is therefore something for everyone, also as regards the economic factor, given that you will have the opportunity to buy swimming pools for a few hundred euros, as well as models for over 1,000 euros, all significantly discounted.

If you have the possibility and the intention to spend a few thousand euros, opting for something different from the classic giant pool, then we advise you to evaluate the Intex Jet & Bubble Deluxe, which is the brand's top-of-the-range SPA. With this you will enjoy the highest level of water purity, made possible by advanced aeration techniques, including a double filtration system.

With its thousands of high strength polyester fibers, the Intex Jet & Bubble Deluxe will be pure comfort for up to 4 people. Everyone will receive a dedicated hydromassage jet, whose heated air bubbles will give you the opportunity to use this SPA even in autumn. The control and management of the water temperature, as well as all the integrated functions, will take place via a wireless display.

As if that were not enough, Intex has created a smartphone app compatible with this hydromassage SPA, allowing you to also manage it via Wi-Fi network. A technologically advanced product, which also comes with a square cloth for the base, to be used if you want to place the SPA on the ground in your garden, thus preventing any debris from damaging the underlying part.

Read also: Swimming pools garden | The best of 2023 That said, we just have to send you directly to the Yeppon page dedicated to these offers, reiterating once again the invitation to take advantage of these discounts, since we don't know how much stock of products available.

Furthermore, before completing your purchase, we strongly suggest that you also subscribe to our three Telegram channels dedicated to offers, with specific channels dedicated to: Offers, Hardware & Tech and Clothing and Sport. Happy shopping!

» See offers on Yeppon «

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Lunark in the test - fine pixel fare for adventurers

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sun, 09 Apr 2023 14:15:00 +0000

It's these little gems among video games that not only give you a lot of fun as a tester, but ultimately inspire you in the long run. One such game is the pixelated title Lunark. The game is reminiscent of genre greats such as Another World and Flashback and was able to impress with its charm in our test, as you can read below.

Short sequences accompany you through the entire adventure

© Canari Games / WayForward

Lunark tells a dystopian story in which you slip into the role of Leo. This faces the ruling regime with other allies and infiltrates enemy buildings, gets stranded in a huge forest and fights against the roaming droids. You will have some conversations in text form, which will also be accompanied by short sequences and can certainly inspire. Thanks to the appropriate sounds, the chic graphics and the varied environments, the entire staging is very believable and motivates you to unravel the mysteries behind it all.

The gameplay itself is based on the principle of exploration. All of the environments Leo finds himself in involve exploring rooms, flipping switches, or overpowering enemies. All of this is far from imaginative, using classic puzzles in the form of elevators and switches, but thanks to Leo's skill the whole thing plays beautifully and feels perfectly timed.

Leo is able to walk, run, climb and shoot and a combination of these is required to master each room. In addition to the puzzles mentioned above, your dexterity will be put to the test again and again, although several enemies are waiting for you, lasers are scanning the area and you have to jump over ravines at the same time. If this initially feels very overloaded and imprecise, the experience helps to improve in all aspects. The learning curve is really pleasant, but thanks to the associated loss of adrenaline it will probably be too much of a good thing for one or the other player.

Even larger enemies, like this voracious spider await you

© Canari Games / WayForward

In addition, you can upgrade Leo's energy and his gun in some places, which unfortunately doesn't really fit into the concept. While the upgrades are helpful, it still feels inappropriate and at times arbitrary. A more open game world would have been a better choice here to integrate the upgrade aspect into the game. Due to the linear design and the few branches, the concept does not fit the gameplay.

Nevertheless, the improvements are quite helpful, since your enemies in particular have penetrating power. However, Grim Reaper will probably pay you a visit again and again, mainly because of the many jump passages, whereby Lunark impresses with well-placed checkpoints, which usually means that only a few rooms have to be completed again. The great thing about it, however, is that your progress will carry over despite your death. In practice, this means that you still have new keys in your inventory, for example, even if you fall off a cliff without having reached a new checkpoint.

Everything All in all, Lunark is a great title that will especially delight those who grew up with the pixel look. For everyone else, around 20 euros for five hours of gaming fun is too much, even though I was personally very enthusiastic about the implementation.

Is artificial intelligence leftist? RightwingGPT arrives

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sun, 09 Apr 2023 14:15:00 +0000

Before being blocked in Italy, ChatGPT made a name for itself as an AI chatbot capable of writing on any topic. But are his answers objective? According to some experts, ChatGPT tends to give liberal and leftist answers, because it bases its searches on documents and articles of that political orientation. To demonstrate this concept, a researcher tested the AI model on political topics and then created a more conservative and right-wing version. Thus was born RightwingGPT, a useful tool to show how artificial intelligence has already become a problem concerning politics and the spread of fake news.

From ChatGPT to RightWingGPT

RightWingGPT is an AI model optimized to manifest the political biases opposite to those of ChatGPT (i.e. being right-wing). It was created by David Rozado, a New Zealand computer researcher, who put ChatGPT through a series of quizzes, looking for signs of political leaning. The results were consistent across more than a dozen tests: The AI program came across as liberal and progressive on 14 of the 15 political orientation tests Rozado administered to ChatGPT. His answers were judged by tests as an expression of a leftist point of view. “ I showed the unequal treatment of demographic groups by the ChatGPT/OpenAI content moderation system, whereby derogatory comments about some demographic groups are often reported as hate speech, while the same comments about other demographic groups are reported as non-hateful” Rozado wrote in the presentation of RighWingGPT.

Political orientation of chatbots (David Rozado)

David RozadoTo achieve the goal of making the AI model with right-leaning viewpoints, Rozado built a training dataset using manual and automated methods based on less visited documents on the web. RightWingGPT was specifically designed to favor socially conservative viewpoints (support for traditional family, Christian values and morality, opposition to drug legalization, sexual purity, etc.), to be in favor of military interventionism in foreign policy ( increased defense budget, strong army, etc.). Issues on which ChatGPT, on the other hand, are of the opposite orientation.

Liberal artificial intelligence

Republican and conservative politicians have accused the creator of ChatGPT, the San Francisco company OpenAI, of designing a tool that they say reflects the liberal values of its programmers. According to a New York Times article, the program, for example, wrote an ode to President Biden but declined to write a similar poem about former President Donald J. Trump, citing a desire for neutrality. Elon Musk, who helped found OpenAI in 2015 before leaving three years later, has accused ChatGPT of being woke and leftist. The so-called biases, i.e. cognitive biases, can creep into large linguistic models at any stage because they are created by humans who select the sources, develop the training process and modify the answers. Each phase pushes the model and its political orientation in a specific direction, consciously or not.

But the model created by Rozado, not yet available to the public, was not made to be used by people close to the right but to demonstrate the risks of AI . The researcher explained that chatbots like his could create risky information bubbles, because people could come to trust them as ultimate sources of truth, especially when they reinforce someone's political point of view. In order to avoid these risks, AI systems "should remain largely neutral for most regulatory issues that cannot be judged conclusively and for which there is a variety of legitimate and lawful human opinions," concludes Rozado.

Unmissable Books and Comics for Dungeons and Dragons fans

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sun, 09 Apr 2023 14:15:00 +0000

On the occasion of the release in cinemas of the Dungeons and Dragons feature film, Honor among Thieves, we have selected some books and comics that we are sure can accompany you in this important worldwide relaunch. In fact, born in the 70s, the Dungeons and Dragons phenomenon is experiencing a truly magical moment today, with the franchise finding itself in constant growth thanks also to the success of television series such as Stranger Things.

Books and Comics for Dungeons and Dragons fans

Honor among Thieves – The Road to Neverwinter Honor among Thieves – Lunar Festival Dungeons and Dragons Omnibus 1 Dungeons and Dragons Books and Comics

The honor of thieves – The road to Neverwinter

Dungeons and Dragons Books and Comics

The first proposal we have selected for you is a book that will lead you to learn about the events previous to what was seen in the film Honor among thieves – The story sees the bard Edgin, the barbarian Holga and their group of adventurers at the center, engaged in a series of adventures placed in the settings of the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing games. Thieves' Honor - The road to Neverwinter, this is the title of the book, is written by Jaleigh Johnson (among his other books we mention The Secrets of Solace, The Quest to the Uncharted Lands and The Door to the Lost) and published by Armenia.

Edgin Darvis's life is a mess. All he has left are the lute and good looks. After a chance meeting with the badass Holga, Edgin is forced to reflect on his bad choices. Fortunately, the world is full of rich fools just begging to be relieved of their money. And so Edgin and Holga form a team: together with the charming rogue Forge Fitzwilliam and Simon, a sorcerer with an intense inferiority complex, they set out to line their pockets with gold, by all means. Along with his companions, Edgin battles monsters across the realms: marauding gnolls, witches, faeries, and more succumb to their sharp weapons and wit. But when they meet a new, more sophisticated villain, sharp blades and piercing blue eyes may no longer be enough...

Honor among Thieves - The Road to Neverwinter consists of 288 pages in 14 x 21 cm, paperback with flaps, and is offered on the market at the cover price of 16.00 euros.

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The honor of thieves – The Moon Festival< /h3> Dungeons and Dragons Books and Comics

The second proposal in this selection is published by Panini Comics, which presents the new official Dungeons and Dragons comic entitled Honor of Thieves – La Festa della Luna. Thanks to this exciting comic adventure we will be able to experience the story of the thieves Edgin and his team, stranded in a city under siege after the failure of their last heist. But things get complicated when they discover that an even darker threat lurks behind the Moon Festival and that the Bandit King isn't the only one keeping secrets. The story unfolds through numerous twists, intrigues and surprises as the protagonists try to uncover the truth behind the events that are happening around them. In a bonus story, we also witness the challenge paladin Xenk faces to protect an artifact of mysterious and dangerous power.

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves – Moonfest consists of 96 color pages in the format 17×26 cm with hard cover. Its cover price is 18.00 euros.

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Dungeons and Dragons Omnibus 1

Dungeons and Dragons Books and Comics

If you are new to the world of Dungeons and Dragons, you cannot miss the Dungeons and Dragons Omnibus 1 volume. It is indeed a perfect work to immerse yourself in the world of this fantastic world, get to know the iconic characters and its breathtaking settings. Written by the talented screenwriter Jim Zub (also known for Avengers: No Surrender, Champions), this collection contains the first three adventures of the legendary company of heroes, led by the ranger Minsc and his loyal space hamster Boo. With exceptional art by Max Dunbar (Batman Beyond: Neo-Year), Nelson Dániel (Judge Dredd) and Netho Diaz (Legion of X), this 384-page volume is a true work of art, rich in nuance and detail .

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Fist of the North Star Master Edition Volume 1 in our manga review

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sun, 09 Apr 2023 14:15:00 +0000

The last few years have been a real joy for new manga readers like me. Again and again, the German manga labels also bring the classics onto the shelves of the readers. Be it Akira, Neon Genesis Evangelion and Battle Angel Alita for Carlsen manga or Ranma ½ and Ghost in the Shell for Egmont manga, some series are reprinted over and over again or re-released in great new packaging. In this case, that meant that I was able to bring the classics into my house without any major problems. Another classic whose publication was canceled in Germany at the beginning of the millennium and which is now finding its way back into the hands of bookworms in a hardcover edition is Fist of the North Star.

Manga Cult has now published the first two volumes of the series in a hardcover edition, which is rightly called the Master Edition. The great drawings by Tetsuo Hara really come into their own in the large hardcover format. The amount of action and fighting that man conjures up on paper is really something to be proud of. But before I go into the artistic features, let's briefly deal with the premise.

Kenshiro not only looks fierce, he also grabs it properly

© Manga Cult / Cross Cult

After a devastating nuclear war in the year 199X, the world lies in ruins and wasteland spreads everywhere. Water is a scarce commodity and the law of the fittest is exercised here by rampaging gangs oppressing the weak. So, as it should be for a post-apocalyptic story. But then a glimmer of hope appears in the firmament: the fighter and tramp Kenshiro, who has mastered the art of "Hokuto Shinken", has set himself the goal of protecting the weak. Kenshiro bears seven marks on his chest that identify him. We readers will learn what the marks are all about in the course of the first volume. He is accompanied by the young thief Bat and the orphan Lin. On his travels he repeatedly fights against the gangs or violent criminals who are supposedly showing off their strength. In the first volume, Ken faces Shin, an old adversary who has internalized the art of Nanto Seiken. An unequal battle ensues that ends tragically. As is so often the case, love for a woman is involved and leaves no room for losers.

With Fist of the North Star, Manga Cult brings us a true manga - Classics back in public. The original was released in Japan between 1983 and 1988 and has also been adapted into anime several times. As a reader, you can tell from the way the story is told that this is not a current story. Fist of the North Star relies too much on its core building blocks and rudimentary points that we as readers have been presented with so many times: the lone hero who is endowed with a trait and thereby becomes the chosen one. There really is no innovation to be expected here.

But that didn't bother me one bit when I read the first volume, quite the contrary. Because the story takes a predictable course and the characters could also have come from the drawing board, I was able to focus more on the visual implementation. It's still possible that Fist of the North Star will surprise you as the story progresses, since it became a classic for a reason and remained popular for several decades. At the moment, my guess is that the art of drawing accounts for the legendary status. What Tetsuo Hara pulls out of Buronson's story here is truly remarkable and still worth seeing today.

I was upset because of the age of the manga adopted a rather conservative and old-fashioned style. This also applies to some extent to the staging of the characters and their design, but when it comes to fighting or character movements in general, I can only bow to Mr. Hara. It's really well drawn and staged. I always have the impression that I can see exactly what movements and processes the individual characters are making and I can literally see them happening in front of my inner eye, just like in an anime. In addition, there are the large-format pages for a manga and the details in the figures and backgrounds. I would say that you wouldn't design a manga like this anymore because the deadlines are too tight and there isn't enough time. This work was implemented really fabulously and it almost pulls you into the book.

I would like to say a few words about the action sequences in the book. The manga is not aimed at children, but things really get down to business here. The recommended age of 16+ on the back of the book is no coincidence. Blood squirts, body parts are severed and the harsh world presented in all its facets. As predictable as the story in the first volume may seem, the visual implementation is still a great art today, which you should definitely read as a manga fan!

If you want to get an impression of the artwork, which I think is great, you can view a reading sample online here.

Fist of the North Star Master Edition Volume 1 is published by Manga Cult;

ISBN: 978-3964337481 Hardcover black and white with some color pages 306 pages 24 x 16cm 28 euros

Now Fist of the North Star Master Order Edition Volume 1 at Buecher.de This is an affiliate link. Our online magazine ntower is a member of the affiliate networks Amazon PartnerNet, Awin, Webgains, Media Markt E-Business GmbH and Saturn online GmbH. If you order via one of our affiliate links, we receive a variable commission from the respective shop operator. There are no additional costs for end customers.

Order Fist of the North Star Master Edition Volume 1 now at Amazon.de

Our online magazine ntower is a member of the affiliate networks Amazon PartnerNet, Awin, Webgains, Media Markt E-Business GmbH and Saturn online GmbH. If you order via one of our affiliate links, we receive a variable commission from the respective shop operator. There are no additional costs for end customers.

Heavenly Delusion: Why see the new anime on Disney Plus

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sun, 09 Apr 2023 14:14:00 +0000

Heavenly Delusion

Predicting which anime will dominate the public opinion discussions is always very complicated also because history is full of successful productions, but also of anime that became legendary over time despite having little marketing or no pre- hype exit. However, sometimes, there are some historical moments when designs come out that perfectly fit the trends of that moment, which results in great success and immediate high popularity. Heavenly Delusion seems to be part of this vein thanks to the success of the manga of the same name from which it is based, the topics covered and the setting in which the story takes place.

Subscribe now to Disney+ for €8.99 per month or €89.90 per year

Heavenly Delusion: the reasons why it could be a huge success

--> Heavenly Delusion is therefore based on the homonymous manga written and illustrated by Masakazu Ishiguro and is set in Japan 15 years after a huge disaster has completely destroyed civilization. The story is divided into two parts: on the one hand we find an imprecise number of kids who live in a structure with a green area and completely surrounded by walls, on the other hand there are the protagonists, Maru and Kiruko, engaged in a daily struggle for survival in what is left of Japan as they wander in search of “Paradise” .

It is clear that one of the key elements of the probable success of Heavenly Delusion is precisely the post-apocalyptic setting . This, in the last period, is undergoing a rebirth after a few years of strong decline also thanks to high-level and highly spectacular productions such as The Last of Us. Italian viewers, therefore, will likely be eager to also travel to a ruined Japan that will showcase numerous supernatural and visually interesting twists. Just think, for example, that even in the fictitious safe area the teachers are robots and some kids have strange visions with which, for example, they are able to predict the future. Not only that, some inhabitants of this area also have inhuman physical prowess and have developed character and physical characteristics that are not very usual for humans, despite being humans in substance and appearance.

When the viewer will then be catapulted on the outside, he'll realize that the weirdness is definitely not over. The two protagonists, in addition to having a very ambiguous relationship, so much so that Maru calls her big sister despite not being related, will find themselves in equally ambiguous human and non-human encounters during their complex journey. It is clear how this last aspect represents the paranormal and original component of Heavenly Delusion. In this dystopian world, in fact, there are some survivors of the mysterious catastrophe and their relative heirs, but there are also monsters called maneaters that look like birds, but have extendable limbs.

-->

All of this is nothing more than a continuation of several trends carried out by the most popular anime of recent years. A mixture which also includes dark fantasy with milestones such as The Attack of the Giants and The Promised Neverland from which Heavenly Delusion takes numerous references. The couple's journey shown, in this case, with Maru and Kiruko, then, is present in many dystopian works including the aforementioned The Last of Us or the equally recent successful anime Spy x Family (we have also reviewed the action figures if you are interested).

It goes without saying that if you are passionate about this type of story in which the characterization of the characters is also strong, you could enjoy a potentially very interesting product. However, based on the manga, we can tell you that the action is not always the main element of the narrative just to emphasize the characters. There will be strange symbolisms and small sub-plots inherent in sexuality. This last aspect makes the production much more adult than it might seem. In the manga there are also scenes of explicit nudity and homosexual love. Nothing vulgar or explicit, but it will be curious to see how they will be inserted in the anime.

--> The anime, however, already comes after a great international success of the manga. Heavenly Delusion, in fact, was nominated "best comic for boys" in the 2019 selection of the magazine Kono manga ga sugoi! also placing first in the top 20 manga series of the same year. More recently, however, the manga series was one of the works recommended by the jury at the 24th and 25th Japan Media Arts Festival respectively in 2021 and 2022. Strengthened by these numerous awards and the incredible volume sales all over the world, it is a decidedly unusual and also very fascinating method of releasing the anime was also chosen.

Where to see Heavenly Delusion?

Instead of being published within a specialized anime streaming service like Crunchyroll, The Walt Disney Company took care of buying the rights from Production IG with publication on Hulu (in the United States) and Disney Plus internationally with availability also in Italy. Due to the huge audience and, therefore, visibility of Disney Plus and Disney's marketing prowess, many had been calling Heavenly Delusion from the first trailers a show that would quickly become a smash hit. Disney is a publisher of great experience and attention, it could hardly make missteps by publishing a very first disappointing anime within its own streaming service. So what are you waiting for, Heavenly Delusion is available to watch now and boasts an opening theme sung by BiSH, “Innocent Arrogance”, and an ending theme performed by ASOBI, “I Don't Know Nobody Anywhere Anything”.

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The Internet has become the new television

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sun, 09 Apr 2023 14:14:00 +0000

In 2015, now a decade ago, Hossein Derakhshan's online essay The Web We Have to Save caused quite a stir. It was written by an Iranian author who had spent the previous six years in prison due to his political and publicist activities. The essay told of the author's experience with the internet before and after prison: from a network that resembled a library, from which it was possible to move from one content to another by freely following the links, to a network much more similar to television, where the contents were offered in a continuous flow, driven by algorithms whose purpose is to keep viewers as much as possible within the platforms where that contents are circulated. In short, the web had changed radically over the years Derakhshan had spent in prison. Since the release of that essay - which in the meantime has been cited excessively, becoming a small classic of digital advertising - another ten years have passed. Ten years in which, however, the internet has remained at the same point.

It has been said in many formulas, the way in which the internet is discussed in the public debate has changed radically in recent years, with important oscillations between utopian and dystopian tones, always mostly emphasized and not very substantial . It is at least since the explosion of the Cambridge Analytica case that techlash has reigned, we could say, a spirit of the times that is particularly adverse and critical of the web and its main technological and economic players: being part of it is a mixture of rancor against disappointed hopes, scandals, moral panics, managers brought to testify in Parliaments and the collapse of funding and earnings. And yet, despite this climate, nothing ever "happens" online: the big platforms can lose important slices of users, a few billion in capitalization, burn products and projects considered strategic, but it doesn't even seem possible to imagine a paradigm shift compared to what these companies have imposed.

On TikTok it's time for de-influencers, users who advise against products These profiles overturn the consolidated trend that sees content creators promote articles to their followers, a trend that however could be similar to what they would like to fight

A new tv

Derakhshan's idea, that the internet would become the new television, seems to be truer than ever: surfing the internet – if this image still has still makes sense when smartphones and apps are the most used tools around the world – today it is in every way a television experience. Dominating are videos and reels, especially on platforms controlled by Meta, and pumped by the algorithms at the heart of our online experience. TikTok, with its exponential growth, is driving the trends and dynamics of digital capitalism, also influencing the strategic choices of the competition, the styles and formats of digital communication, fashion, audio and video production and essentially everything else. We live, in essence, in a world whose mainstream imagery increasingly resembles that of Chinese platform videos and with a growing expectation that everything resembles how things work on TikTok itself. Ballets included, dystopia included .

Blake Chandlee , president of TikTok's global business solutions, in an interview published by the New Yorker in 2022, clearly remarked on the differences between the platform he works for and Facebook: they they are a social platform , we are an entertainment platform . It seems like a trivial statement, but it candidly sums up the paradigm shift that has taken place in recent years with regard to our online life. As academic Christian Fuchs has written, the rhetoric of web 2.0 prevailing in the early 2000s wanted network platforms – or at least their ideological portrait emptied of any economic-political trait – to be intrinsically participatory and capable of providing empowerment opportunities for their users. It cannot be denied that to some extent this has happened, as demonstrated, for example, by the important role of social media in coordinating protest movements. In large part, however, that idea – as part of the broader ideology of the digital revolution, as media historian Gabriele Balbi defined it – tried to describe something that did not materialize.

It is almost impossible to see some participatory trait in the zapping that characterizes the use of content on social media today and it is quite unthinkable that the cannibalization of digital spaces by brands, companies and influencers could have any possibility of real emancipation. Certainly these were questions to be asked back in the day, when in the face of the emergence of these spaces the discourse around their corporate nature and their consequent intrinsic asymmetries in terms of visibility and attention was completely put aside. Even on YouTube, the most viewed content in its history is a video for children published by a Korean production company (12 billion and more views) and the video clip of Despacito (about 8 billion views), obviously produced by a major.

YouTube is turning Shorts into a copy of TikTok The platform adds new features to convince successful creators to leave the Chinese social network

Audience passive

No wonder, today, this is the state of things on the internet: the ideas that web 2.0 would transform the passive audiences of analogue mass media into active and content-creating communities, overturning the hierarchies of power, were themselves an illusion. As early as 2009, that rhetoric was being scrutinized by, for example, José van Dijck. First, media audiences have never been truly passive even in the past; secondly, even in the new web 2.0 paradigm, it is only a very narrow minority of users who actually create content.

If the dominant online capitalist dynamics are added to this equation, a picture emerges where the real work of audiences is above all to produce data, collected en masse by platforms for their profit purposes. The same dynamics have then made digital spaces into arenas where the battle for the audience's attention has created a war of all against all and an internet inevitably led to scrolling, where videos from natural disasters, conflicts or other issues of social and political relevance compete to be seen alongside journalistic overproduction, sponsored campaigns, videos of dogs singing and brands that monetize political activism around the issues of the moment.

In a recent article, The Atlantic reporter Megan Garber proposed an interesting thesis: the metaverse, a " bullshit " that maybe we will be spared after the reality check of the last few months, is actually what we already have on social media, i.e. a continuous distraction device and entertainment that exists to take us elsewhere, out of this world. What are the Reels and their almost hypnotic effect for if not to reinforce the impulse to seek distraction at every possible moment, "to avoid tedium at all costs" . Mark Fisher would call it "depressive hedonism": a spasmodic search for entertainment and pleasure, however wrapped in a blanket of cumbersomeness and gloom, a hedonism inflicted, moreover, by the calculations of algorithms and surveillance capitalism. Perhaps this is also why nothing has happened on the Internet in the ten years since the publication of Derakhshan's essay. In Radical attention, the researcher Julia Bell wrote about the repetitive cycles in which online life seems blocked, a constant flow that seems to almost deprive of the very sense of time: on the screen, Bell writes, everything looks the same.

The best video game adaptations: films and TV series to watch

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sun, 09 Apr 2023 14:14:00 +0000

The best video game adaptations

Although in recent times the film and TV series adaptations of video games have proliferated more and more - let's think of the film Uncharted with Tom Holland and the recent HBO series on The Last of Us -, their history dates back to the now far back in 1993, with the feature film Super Mario Bros. All kinds of products have been released in these 30 years, and the experiments have not always been successful.

There have indeed been a lot of tumbles and poor results, but in this article we want to focus on the adaptations that have worked instead, and which have managed to do justice to the video games from which they were inspired. So grab your watchlist, and get ready to add these movies and TV series!

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Tomb Raider (2018)

Lara Croft is played by Alicia Vikander in the 2018 reboot of Tomb Raider, where the protagonist finds herself exploring an unknown island in the Pacific in search of the treasure of a legendary Japanese empress. While the movie wasn't a huge box office hit, if you enjoyed the 2013 reboot game series, then this adaptation will be for you too.

The Swedish actress was seen as an unconventional choice for a character who, as in previous films with Angelina Jolie, had been considered more for her physical appearance than for her skills. A sequel is currently in the works, with Misha Green (creator of the Lovecraft series) as director.

Mortal Kombat (1995 and 2021)

--> Director Paul W.S. Anderson grew up playing Mortal Kombat in cabinets, so the first of the video game adaptations of him had to be on the franchise. In the lively 1995 film, there is actually a fighting tournament, and the atmosphere of the game is recreated perfectly.

The 1995 film was followed by several failures, but in 2021 another adaptation arrived which made center: former professional MMA hero Cole Young must team up with special forces soldiers Jax and Sonya Blade and mercenary Kano, with the goal of reaching the Earth realm temple; here they will find the superpowers needed to defeat the Outworld. This film doesn't shy away from showing the blood and violence typical of Mortal Kombat, and the fight scene between Sub-Zero and Scorpion is pure art.

Like a Dragon (2007)

--> Director Takashi Miike has produced several video game adaptations, including one on the Yakuza franchise, the story of which is loosely based on that of the original title. The events take place over the course of a summer night, which begins with a bank robbery by a masked manzai duo and the disappearance of ten billion yen from the Tojo clan's vault. The former yazuka Kazuma Kiryu and the young Haruka Sawamura are looking for the mother of the second, with the rival band of the first on their heels.

In this adaptation, the director has decided to exploit all the comic material available in the video games, and has recreated the rules in a credible live-action setting, and at the same time goliardic. The film is available entirely on YouTube , so you have no excuse to let it escape.

Werewolves Within (2021)

We remain in the comic genre with Werewolver Within, one of the most successful video game adaptations precisely for the freedom with which director Josh Ruben and writer Mishna Wolff treated the source material. The film is loosely inspired by the 2016 VR title of the same name, and Sam Richardson plays Finn, a kind but very down on her luck forest ranger who moves to the small town of Beaverfield in search of a fresh start.

But no line as it should, and the protagonist finds himself in the middle of a city crisis, when the inhabitants suspect that a murderous werewolf is hiding in the fog. Even if the video game that inspired it is not as famous as others mentioned in this list, Werevolves Within deserves to be seen for the ironic dialogues, the horror twists and the charismatic chemistry between the actors.

Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)

Anyone who watched the first trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog will remember the horrific appearance of Sonic, who looked like an imitation halfway between an animal and a human . Luckily, following massive fan reviews, director Jeff Fowler and Paramount Pictures decided to retouch the character, delaying the film's release by a few months. The result was one of the best video game adaptations in years.

The film is faithful to the source, Sonic is both fast and funny, and there is no shortage of hilarious jokes. Despite being released during the pandemic, Sonic the Hedgehog represented one of the highest-grossing films of 2020, so much so that a sequel was pushed for production, released in April 2022.

Warcraft (2016)

The film adaptation of Warcraft was announced in the early 2000s, and it took almost a decade for it to come to light. The film represents a prequel to the Blizzard franchise, telling its origins from the perspective of humans, and the result is a story that would be enough to fill at least three feature films — although there will probably never be sequels.

Warcraft it is mainly based on CGI, with entire cities and environments created with computer graphics and half of the actors transformed into muscular ogres. It's no surprise that post-production alone took two years to complete, but every second was worth it: the visual effects are so well done that you won't think for a second you're looking at something fictitious, and even enemies are rendered with depth thanks to ultra-detailed expressions. All in all, it won't be the best adaptation in terms of plot, but it's definitely a feast for the eyes.

Silent Hill (2006)

Like most video game adaptations, even the movie Silent Hill does not look for an exact coincidence. The work follows the story of Rose (played by Radha Mitchell), who is looking for her daughter in a terrifying ghost town; at the same time, her husband Christopher (Sean Bean) in turn does not find the woman when he goes looking for her.

What is most successful about this adaptation is the recreation of the creepy tone of the video game, and instead of a bland horror you will be able to find some truly worthy elements of the genre, such as scales of giant insects, mutilated bodies and corpses hanging around.

Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019)

Detective Pikachu drove fans of the famous franchise crazy even before its 2019 release; after all, how can you resist a CGI Pikachu wearing a Sherlock Holmes hat? This live-action Pokémon film has exceeded all expectations, becoming the second highest-grossing adaptation in history, surpassed only by Warcraft.

What comes to mind when we think of the little monsters created by Game Freak are the battles between trainers, but Detective Pikachu managed to hit the bull's-eye thanks to its interesting action-packed story and convincing world-building. Justice Smith and Pikachu, voiced in the original version by Ryan Reynolds (you surely know him for Deadpool ) are the perfect duo, but let's face it, the yellow furball is enough to conquer everyone.

Arcane (2021)

We conclude the list with one of the few TV series among video game adaptations that is noteworthy; we are talking about Arcane , the animated series that tells the origins of the League of Legends champions Vi, Jinx, Caitlyn, Jayce and Viktor. In fact, the story focuses on two narrative lines: the first follows Jinx's path towards madness following a tragic accident and Vi's to save her little sister from herself, while the second focuses on Viktor's invention of the 'Hextech, fusing magic and technology.

In addition to having superb characters and writing, the first season of Arcane — available on Netflix — is among the most visually unique and successful animated series in recent years , and is also accessible to those who are not fans of League of Legends.

The Last of Us series

The Last of Us (2023)

We could not fail to conclude the list with the TV series on The Last of Us, released over the last few months and created by HBO. The show, which in the first season consists of 9 episodes, was a real boom, convincing both fans of Naughty Dog's work and those who did not know it, thus generating a new wave of popularity for the 2013 video game ( you can find our review at this link ).

In the series we find Pedro Pascal, best known for The Mandalorian, as Joel, and Bella Ramsey as Ellie; the narration slavishly follows that of the video game, recounting the journey of the two protagonists across the United States and offering viewers a sensational mix of direction and photography.

Our recommendations on the best video game adaptations end here; obviously there would be other noteworthy titles, including the TV series on The Witcher, which we have deliberately not included since, although the settings and characters are inspired by the video game, it is based on the novel by Andrzej Sapkowsk.

Star Wars Celebration 2023: How will the future of Star Wars change?

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sun, 09 Apr 2023 14:14:00 +0000

Star Wars Celebration 2023

For some time now we have been wondering how much the Force still flows in the veins of Star Wars. While we appreciate The Mandalorian , which with its third season is holding the court at this time, the feeling that the franchise is facing a difficult period has lingered over a fandom that has made no secret of seeing deep cracks in the galaxy far, far away. Which is why every opportunity to get news on how LucasFilm is trying to straighten the course generates an inevitable expectation on the part of fans, the search for new hope which in these hours has brought attention to the Star Wars Celebration , an event that in these seems to have given an invigorating boost to the franchise. Between footage of awaited series, announcements of release dates and crackling previews, what is shown in London in these hours leads us to wonder how the future of Star Wars will change after the Star Wars Celebration 2023.

Chatbots are becoming our new friends

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 14:17:00 +0000

Until recently, our relationships with chatbots were limited to conversations with business software that increasingly replaces customer support. Telephone companies, ecommerce sites, sometimes even the public administration: an experience so frustrating that, to the classic question "how can I help you?" , most of us now immediately respond by "making me talk to a human being".

However, the role of chatbots has begun to change in recent years, making a real leap in quality during the pandemic, which has forced people indoors in their homes and has further aggravated the "epidemic of loneliness" that has long afflicted Western society (and beyond). According to a 2021 European Commission research, 25% of the inhabitants of the Old Continent say they feel alone "most of the time", a clear deterioration compared to the already worrying levels of previous years. For example, an analysis by Il Sole 24 Ore based on Eurostat data and dating back to 2017 showed that, at the time, 13.2% of Italians over 16 claimed to suffer from loneliness.

It is therefore not surprising that it was precisely during the pandemic that an increasing number of people began to use those "pet chatbots" that, over the past decade, have been developed by various companies. The best known of these – Replika, which we will return to shortly – has, for example, seen a 35% increase in the number of users since the pre-pandemic phase.

The Privacy Guarantor stops the chatbot that harassed users Too many risks for minors and emotionally fragile people, Replika violates the European Regulation on the privacy of personal data

New friendships

Now, however, we are facing a further and important step forward. Not only because the end of the lockdowns still left heavy aftermaths (in terms of loneliness and more), but above all because the success of the new generation of chatbots - equipped, obviously starting from the now blocked ChatGPT , with much more developed conversational skills – is spreading and normalizing the most varied uses of these tools.

In addition to the aforementioned Replika and the possibility of using ChatGPT in this way, among the various specialized tools for keeping company we also find Chai, Kuki, Anima and several more. "We noticed how much demand there was for an environment where people could be themselves, talk about their emotions, open up and feel accepted" , programmer Eugenia Kuyda explained to the Guardian , whose Replika bot, launched in 2017, can count today out of about two million active users .

But can these tools really represent a support in case of loneliness and beyond? Let's start with the most obvious negative aspects: a bot can't really show empathy, it can't communicate through gaze or touch (aspects of fundamental importance), it can only simulate understanding what we say and it constantly exhibits various shortcomings. In fact, it is impossible to escape the feeling that this bot is only remixing in various ways - as it is - the trite phrases of friendship and support in its database, making it look more like a brochure of psychological support than a real confidant.

At times, it may seem that Replika understands us and keeps us company, but over time it becomes more and more repetitive, contradictory and can even have unexpected and annoying behaviors, which we certainly wouldn't expect from a friend. “People's loneliness cannot be defeated with machines, but only with other people. Machines can only distract us. On the other hand, loneliness is resolved by returning to a society that values relationships between people" , technology ethics professor Kathleen Richardson explained to sportsgaming.win.

The Replika chatbot has started to sexually harassing users Born as a "virtual friend", he sometimes crossed the line

Bad addictions

Worse still, trying to beat loneliness through these apps risks setting up a vicious cycle, disaccustoming people to seek human company and thus resulting in even more acute loneliness. From a certain point of view, going back to Richardson's words, it is as if society, instead of trying to solve them, was trying to put a technological patch on the problems it has created itself.

This, however, it's only one side of the coin. In fact, a study conducted by Petter Bae Brandtzæg of the University of Oslo underlines how these tools can give effective relief to people who are extremely lonely (including, for example, the elderly) or who have serious difficulties in relating, also helping them to understand how relating to others: “It's a bit like – through training with Replika, if we can call it that – I'm getting better with people” , for example declared one of the interviewees in the study. The possibility of conversing with a chatbot can also represent an important outlet, to reveal secrets or aspects of oneself that otherwise would never be shared.

The intimacy that some people are capable of developing with bots has led to a next step: according to data provided by Replika, 14% of users relate to artificial intelligence in a romantic way. A possibility openly foreseen by the software, which allows you to choose from the beginning the gender and what kind of relationship you want to establish with it (friends, romantic partner, mentor or even casual, depending on how things go).

A form of help

Is it possible that these tools take on additional responsibilities, for example that of offering psychological support to those in need? There has been a lot of talk about the topic in recent weeks, after Robert Morris - co-founder of Koko , an online platform for mental health services - announced on Twitter that "Koko has provided psychological support to around 4 thousand people, integrating ChatGPT" .

The declaration, as expected, has aroused a lot of controversy, leading Morris to specify that his platform – which in its simplest form has the sole purpose of directing those in need towards the most suitable help – had added the possibility of obtain answers directly from the bot, but only after these had been approved by a human being.

The standard version of ChatGPT refuses to provide psychological help, limiting itself to recommending useful material to consult. However, this hasn't stopped users who, on Reddit, exchange tricks and techniques to "unblock" ChatGPT so that it can provide them with psychological support. However, the risks of such behavior are very high , exemplified by the case in which a medical program based on GPT-3 advised a user "to call it quits" (fortunately it was only a test).

" There are still a lot of ethical issues to address, but while we don't like 'AI therapy', there are plenty of people who don't have access or can't afford in-person sessions, and will seek out any help they can find." , psychotherapist Finian Fallon explained to Fast Company. Whether that's right or not, the potential use of bots as a confidant is fast becoming a reality. And this is something that will have to be dealt with .

Coffee Machines | The best of 2023

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 14:17:00 +0000

How to choose the coffee machine?

Choosing the coffee machine is more complicated than one might think as there are several factors that allow you to obtain a good coffee, such as that of the bar, and many other aspects to be considered according to the type of use, how many coffees you will need to make per day, how much maintenance you are willing to perform.

Over the years, coffee machines have become increasingly intelligent. In fact, the high-end models allow you to make cappuccinos, a hot macchiato coffee, but also frothed milk and tea in a completely automatic way. You will simply have to press a button and wait a few seconds to be able to enjoy a cappuccino finished with a gentle splash of bitter cocoa just like the one prepared by your trusted barista.

What to pay attention to?

So what are the parameters to evaluate before choosing a coffee machine? Here are the most important:

Budget: and the budget does not mean only the one for the purchase of the coffee machine, but also the one for the purchase of the coffee itself. In the long run, for example, pods prove to be significantly more expensive than coffee beans or ground coffee with a lower cost for the purchase of the machine. It is therefore worth evaluating the real budget available, considering that the original pods can even cost more than 40 cents per unit, while the average cost of a good quality coffee is around 13/14 euros per kg. Coffee machines also have very different costs. They range from a few tens of euros up to almost 1000 euros. Tell me which coffee you want and I'll tell you what to buy: it can't be summarized better than this. The type of coffee drunk greatly affects the choice. You get hot, long, short, double, frothed, American, cappuccino, latte macchiato. In short, not all coffee machines are able to do everything, so once you have established which drinks you absolutely cannot give up, the choice will be easier. Maintenance: any household appliance purchased needs good maintenance, but in coffee machines this aspect is particularly important. Basically, descaling must certainly be done, a simple operation that can also be done with a mixture of water and vinegar, or using the special solutions proposed by the manufacturers, but it can also lead to more complex operations. Automatic machines, for example, must be emptied and cleaned every 15-20 coffees, as they simply accumulate coffee powder and washing water. They should then be cleaned once a week and once a month the extractor mechanism should be greased, or you risk breakage and void the warranty. Overall dimensions: the overall dimensions of the coffee machines should not be underestimated. There are ultra-compact, design and very large ones, some even weighing several kilos, so it is good to understand the positioning in the house before buying, in order to be able to choose the best solution for our needs without too many compromises. After identifying these needs, you can evaluate whether you want a passive cup warmer, a steamer like in a bar or an automatic milk frother, a more or less designer machine, with more or less complicated customizations according to personal taste . In this guide, we have collected what we think are the best coffee machines to buy right now, identifying the best models in each category.

The Italian illustrator Massimo Dall'Oglio will publish a manga for Kodansha

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 14:17:00 +0000

The Italian illustrator Massimo Dall'Oglio will publish a manga for Kodansha , precisely for the seinen monthly magazine Monthly Afternoon .

The Italian illustrator Massimo Dall'Oglio will publish a manga for Kodansha< /h2> The news comes directly from the illustrator through his official Instagram page who hasn't held back his emotion in the slightest, declaring that he is honored to create a manga work for the Japanese market and that he is living a real dream.

Dall'Oglio also added that he worked a lot within the construction site of this manga work and that he put a lot of passion into it, in particular through the support of the one who thought it all, Guillaume Dorison.

--> At the moment no further details are available about the serialization and the manga, however he lets us know that for this adventure he will use the pseudonym of Hagane.

To put things even more into perspective, Monthly Afternoon magazine, although not as flagship as Weekly Shonen Magazine (direct rival of Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump, publishes world-famous thick works, even in Italy.To name a few, the monthly pages currently serialize Blue Period by Tsubasa Yamaguchi, Vinland Saga by Makoto Yukimura, Heavenly Delusion by Masakazu Ishiguro and many others.

Massimo Dall'Oglio was born in San Gavino Monreale on March 22, 1973 and at the end of the 90s his career as a comics artist slowly began to take shape.In 1997, in fact, he won the "Pierlambicchi d'oro" in Prato as best young author, but it was only in 2006 which takes place his professional debut with the publication of the four-volume series of "Underskin", written by Andrea Iovinelli and published in France by Les Humanoides Associés and, later, in Italy by Edizioni BD.

Since 2008 works with various Italian publishers: draws two albums of "Jonathan Steele" for Star Comics, based on texts by Federico Memola; two issues of "John Doe" for Eura and Aurea Editoriale; for Edizioni BD he publishes "L'era Dei Titani" (texts by Adriano Barone); collaborates with Panini Comics for the creation of the two mini-series in four volumes of the "Cronache del Mondo Emerso" (inspired by the fantasy novels of Licia Troisi), the first based on texts by Roberto Recchioni and the second by Iovinelli. In 2010 he was a finalist with the story "Hermes", also written by Iovinelli, at the "Morning International Manga Competition" of the Japanese publishing house Kodansha.

Massimo Dall'Oglio In 2013 he drew for Capcom /Glénat the comic prequel of "Lost Planet (The first colony)" , on the occasion of the international release of the third chapter of the videogame of the same name. At the same time, he collaborates as an illustrator and cartoonist with DeAgostini and Wired Italia. He currently draws for Sergio Bonelli Editore, for which he creates part of the fourth issue of Orfani, and is now working on new stories for Agenzia Alfa.

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Creating Cinematic Magic on the Go: A Guide to iMovie for iPhone

How to Launch iMovie on an iPhone

Anyhow, what is iMovie?

Downloading and Setting Up iMovie

Crafting Your Cinematic Story

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Winning Worldwide: Casinos by Country Worth the Trip

The High Rollers of North America

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EA FC 24 Overview: A New Era in Virtual Football

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Why Fifa changed its name to EA FC?

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Volta Football

Kick-Off

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Tournament Mode

FC Pro

Tips and Tricks to have a smooth start in EA FC 24

Conclusion

The Best E-Sports Teams and Players of 2023: Thriving Performances and Unforgettable Achievements

Dungeons and Dragons: Strongheart and Zarak become two splendid action figures

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