Wednesday's Child: 17-year-old Mikel
Mikel
is a thoughtful, mature and likeable 17-year-old boy.
When asked to describe his personality, Mikel stated‚ "I am friendly, and I try to be kind to others."
Mikel has a variety of interests. He loves watching and playing sports, specifically basketball and football. Mikel enjoys singing and dancing to pop and hip hop music. He is a real fan of songs by Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak. Mikel also likes playing video games such as Mario and NBA 2K.
Mikel, who is of Latino and Caucasian descent, maintains positive relationships with adults and peers.
For more information you can contact MARE: 617-964-MARE (6273) or visit
www.mareinc.org
.
Since its inception in 1981, Wednesday's Child has been a collaboration of the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE), the Department of Children & Families and WBZ-TV/CBS Boston. Hosted by Jack Williams for 34 years, this weekly series has given a face and voice to the children who wait the longest for families. Wednesday's Child has helped find homes for hundreds of waiting children and continues to raise awareness about adoption from foster care.
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Your favorite model? Thanks to AI, they might not be real
American Vogue's August 2025 issue has been making headlines — and not only for its cover featuring actor Anne Hathaway, who is back in the limelight as she films 'The Devil Wears Prada' sequel. What has drawn much — if not more — attention can be found in the pages of the magazine: advertisements for the Californian clothing company Guess. At a cursory glance, nothing appears unusual: A Caucasian woman with wavy blonde hair, flushed cheeks and perfect teeth, bared in a wide smile, shows off a long stripe dress with a matching top-handle bag. In another image, she models a floral playsuit with a drawstring that cinches her waist. Yet, in small print on the page, it is revealed that the model was created using artificial intelligence. The campaign was developed by Seraphinne Vallora, a London-based AI-driven marketing agency, whose work has also been featured in titles including Elle, The Wall Street Journal and Harper's Bazaar. The discourse around the AI photos was ignited by TikTok user @lala4an, whose video on the Guess ad has since been viewed more than 2.7 million times. The revelation that AI models were inside the pages of Vogue sparked debate over what it might mean for real-life models pushing for greater representation and diversity, and consumers — particularly younger people — who often face unrealistic expectations of beauty. 'It's insane because it's not like we're short on people looking for modeling gigs or anything,' wrote one user on TikTok in a comment that, to date, has over 67,700 likes. 'So first normal women are comparing themselves to edited models… Now we have to compare ourselves to women that don't even exist???' wrote another. Several people have since called for a boycott against Guess and Vogue. Guess did not respond to CNN's request for comment. While the Guess campaign was a commercial decision, it would have still required internal approval at Vogue to be printed. A Condé Nast spokesperson confirmed to CNN that an AI model has never appeared editorially in Vogue. Though, digitally created models have featured in international editions of the title: Vogue Singapore previously showcased AI-generated avatars in its March 2023 issue. (Vogue Singapore is a licensee and not owned or operated by Condé Nast.) Valentina Gonzalez and Andreea Petrescu, the 25-year-old co-founders of Seraphinne Vallora, believe the outrage behind the Guess campaign is misplaced. Speaking to CNN on a video call, Petrescu explained that 'people think these images just came to be by AI, which is not true. We have a team, and we also still hire models.' Gonzalez and Petrescu were approached by Guess co-founder Paul Marciano to create AI models for the brand, they said. After reviewing multiple drafts, Marciano picked a digitally created blonde (Vivienne) and brunette (Anastasia) for further development. Both ended up being featured in Guess' ads, which appeared in Vogue and other magazines, Gonzalez said (though it was only Vivienne who went viral). To create the campaign, Seraphinne Vallora employed a real model, who, over the course of a week, was photographed in the studio wearing Guess clothing. That informed how the clothes looked on an AI model, said Gonzalez. 'We needed to see what poses would flatter the product most, and how it looked on a real woman. We cannot generate an image if we don't have an informed idea of what positions will be the most flattering.' 'To create an AI model, it takes time, so we want to make sure that people engage with it.' Valentina Gonzalez, co-founder of Seraphinne Vallora Asked why brands wouldn't simply use a real model in their ads, Petrescu argued that AI gave clients greater choice and efficiency, by requiring less time and smaller budgets to execute than a typical marketing campaign. Seraphinne Vallora was initially founded as a jewelry label before pivoting into providing AI-led marketing services, Petrescu explained. 'We realized that to sell this jewelry, we had to put a lot of good content out there that attracted people. But we didn't have budgets at the time to hire real people to be the face of our brand, so we tried to make our own model.' As architecture graduates, both Petrescu and Gonzalez were well versed in photography, drawing and digital media, so they turned to AI to create a model that would tout their products online. The results, according to Petrescu, were positive. 'We had millions of views on our Instagram Reels and tens of thousands of likes on some posts,' she said. The novelty of an AI model has appealed to many, added Gonzalez. 'The reason it went viral was because people were like, 'oh my god, is she real?'' Guess is not the only brand to have used AI models. 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Still, the further use of AI in fashion is just another potential risk for models, who have historically lacked protection in the workplace and across the sector. It's what the New York State Fashion Workers Act, which took effect in June, seeks to do (the new law, co-sponsored by Ziff's Model Alliance, regulates model management companies, provides complaint procedures and sets up penalties for violations). 'I don't think that the use of AI is inherently bad, but it will be used to exploit people without the proper guardrails in place,' said Ziff. The new law, she added, 'is not a silver bullet by any stretch, but it's a starting point.'
Forbes
14 hours ago
- Forbes
30 Popular Video Games Of The ‘80s
Considering the rise of home consoles that we saw within the decade, '80s video games paved the way for the industry we see today. Legendary characters, such as Mario and Donkey Kong, made their debuts in '80s games, skyrocketing Nintendo to the top of the video game industry. Some of the best '80s games are still loved and played today, while the influences of many more can be seen all across the industry. This list takes a trip down memory lane to look at these popular '80s video games and decide which ones are worth giving a go 40 years later. Classic '80s Video Games With home consoles only becoming popularised in the 1980s, arcade games were some of the most popular games of the decade. Platformers, space shooters and action games were at the very top of the industry, with titles such as Pac-Man, Star Wars and Super Mario Bros all being heavily played. While those home consoles would go on to change the way we play video games altogether, the actual games released also defined the industry. Many huge franchises began in the '80s, with games such as Super Mario Bros going on to be some of the best-selling games of the decade. This list takes a look at these legendary titles, taking a trip down memory lane to see how they changed the industry, and picks the best of the best that you should still be playing today. Platforms: Arcade A horizontally scrolling shooter, R-Type was released by Irem in 1987. R-Type forces players to play each level repeatedly, powering up as they learn the correct pathway. A game so influential it was remade multiple times, R-Type is great for players who want to learn the right way of doing things. FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder Platforms: Arcade Konami's first worldwide hit, Scramble, is a horizontally scrolling shooter that was released in 1981. Control a futuristic jet, avoid collisions, destroy enemies and make sure you don't run out of fuel. Just like Pac-Man, it's a simple concept, but it hits on every single point. Platforms: Arcade, Atari, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, Xbox, Switch First Star Software's maze-based puzzle game was released in 1984. Gameplay saw players tunnel through dirt to collect diamonds. The challenge comes when boulders and other hazards are dislodged, causing them to fall and crush the player. Perfect for players who like to think while they play. Platforms: Arcade, ZX Spectrum, Atari Like Defender, Atari's 1981 game Tempest features difficult and hard to master mechanics. A tube shooter that one or two players can take turns to play, the goal is simply to survive and score as many points as possible. It has alternating difficulty levels, so players who want to push themselves will love this. Platforms: Arcade Bally Midway's 1982 arcade game Tron was inspired by the Disney classic film of the same name. Featuring four mini-games that represented parts of the film, Tron provides players with plenty of re-playability and unique gameplay. If you're looking for an arcade game to sink some time into, this is the one for you. Platforms: ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64) Developed by Mike Singleton, Lords of Midnight is an epic fantasy RPG that was released in 1984. Combining immersive and charming 3-D graphics with strategic, war gameplay, Lords of Midnight is a game that can be played in a multitude of ways. Perfect for players who like a little bit of variety. Platforms: MS-DOS, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 A space trading and combat simulator developed by David Braben and Ian Bell, 1984's Elite is regarded as one of the best games of the decade, and laid the groundwork for games released for decades to come. A genre-making game, if you love the history of games, you need to play this one. Platforms: Arcade, ZX Spectrum, Atari, Commodore 64, Game Boy, Switch The game that introduced Mario, Donkey Kong, saw everyone's favorite Italian plumber set out to save Pauline from Donkey Kong. With four stages, Donkey Kong remains a surprisingly difficult challenge to complete, and all Mario fans need to play it. Platforms: SNES, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Atari Developed by Maxis and released in 1989, SimCity is the city-builder that defined the genre. The game's goal is to build a city, create its zoning laws, tax residents and ensure their happiness. It may be a little dated now, but if you love city-builders, this is a must-play. Platforms: SNES, Atari, MS-DOS Released in 1987 by FTL Games, Dungeon Master is a RPG game with a 3-D, first-person perspective. Utilising real-time combat instead of the turn-based approach that was common at the time, players set find a firestaff so they can destroy Lord Chaos. If you love dungeon crawlers, you'll love this game. Platforms: Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum Lord of the Ring fans will love this one. An interactive fiction game released in 1982 by Beam Software, it takes players through the story by letting them make choices through the use of a parser. Incredibly advanced game for the time, it really makes you feel like you're experiencing Middle Earth in real-time. Platforms: NES, Game Boy, GameCube A game that spawned one of the biggest franchises in gaming history, Nintendo's 1986 action-adventure game, The Legend of Zelda, was an instant classic. Playing as Link, players set out to rescue Princess Zelda from Ganon, collecting weapons and uncovering secrets while on their quest. Every fan of the Zelda games should play this. Platforms: Arcade, NES Konami's 1987 game Contra is a run and gun game that set the tone for the genre for years to come. Able to be played solo and in two-player co-op, Contra sees players go on a mission to destroy enemies planning to wipe out humanity. A great choice for any lovers of action games. Platforms: Arcade, NES, Game Boy Nintendo's 1986 action-adventure game Metroid kicked off one of Nintendo's great franchises. As Samus Aran, players attempt to retrieve Metroid creatures from Pirates who seek to clone them for their own gain. If you're a fan of the Metroid games, you'll love this one, especially for the reveal at the end of the game. Platforms: NES Another game that started a franchise, Square's 1987 offering, Final Fantasy, is a legendary RPG. Following four youths who each carry an elemental crystal, the youths set out to destroy four Elemental Fiends and save their world. If you want to see how Final Fantasy made its name, this is the game for you. Platforms: NES, PlayStation Capcom's 1987 game Mega Man is another franchise-starter that has mass popularity today. An action-platformer, players play as the titular hero to save the world from Dr. Wily. With nonlinear gameplay that allows players to choose the order they play the stages, Mega Man is perfect for players who love replayability. Platforms: Arcade, Commodore 64, Atari, ZX Spectrum A series still going strong today, Capcom released the first Street Fighter game way back in 1987. Able to be played solo or against a friend, Street Fighter introduced special attacks to the fighter genre and stands the test of time as one of the best games the genre has to offer. Platforms: Arcade, Atari, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 Atari's 1983 rail shooter Star Wars allowed players to live out an iconic scene from cinema history, the Death Star assault from A New Hope. Playing as Luke Skywalker, players must avoid or destroy TIE Fighters and gun turrets until they destroy the Death Star. Every Star Wars fan needs to play this game. Platforms: Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, Atari Named after English footballer Emlyn Hughes, Audiogenic's Software's 1988 sports game allowed players to play football either against the computer or against a friend. Gameplay might be more simple than the EA FC games of today, but it takes a lot of skill to master, and it's perfect for soccer fans. Platforms: Apple II, SNES, Game Boy, Atari, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum An iconic video game franchise, Broderbund's Prince of Persia got its start in 1989. Utilising rotoscoping to provide players with realistic animation, Prince of Persia is a cinematic platformer where players have to lead the protagonist out of dungeons before time runs out. A must-play for Prince of Persia fans. Platforms: Arcade, Atari A horizontally scrolling shooter developed by Williams Electronics and released in 1981, Defender tasks players with defending astronauts from invading aliens. A game that features genuinely challenging levels, Defender is a game that is perfect for players that want to master something. Platforms: Arcade, NES, Game Boy The third Super Mario Bros. game released in the '80s, this Nintendo platformer was released in 1988. Players control Mario or Luigi, and set out to save Princess Toadstool from Bowser. The first Super Mario Bros. to feature a world map between levels, this is a trip down memory lane for Mario fans. Platforms: Arcade Sega's 1986 driving game Out Run made you feel like you were seriously moving. Controlling a Ferrari Testarossa, players have to race against the clock while dodging traffic to reach a destination in time. Its influence on the industry is clear, and if you love timed racing, you'll love this one. Platforms: Atari, Commodore 64 Developed by Lucasfilm games and released in 1987, Maniac Mansion is an adventure game that follows Dave Miller as he attempts to save his girlfriend from a mad scientist. With nonlinear gameplay and six playable characters, this is a game for people who want to be able to play something multiple times. Platforms: Arcade, Atari, Commodore 64 Released in 1981, Konami's Frogger has one of the most recognizable gameplay loops in gaming. Playing as a frog, you have to cross a road and a river, dodging cars and other obstacles to safely make it to the other side. If you like playing Crossy Road, why not go and play the OG? Platforms: Commodore 64, Atari Access Software's 1984 game is a golf game that features real life courses. Without any indication of the power you apply to each stroke, you're meant to just feel it, and that's difficult. For lovers of golf and gaming fans who like a genuine skill curve, this might be the greatest game ever made. Platforms: Arcade, Atari, Game Boy Atari's 1980 arcade shoot 'em up Missile Command perfectly preyed upon the Cold War fears of the time. Using a trackball, players had to defend cities from intercontinental ballistic missiles by shooting them down with missiles of their own. A great game for those who like experiences like Space Invaders. Platforms: MS-DOS, Apple DOS Created in the Soviet Union by Alexey Pajitnov, the story of Tetris' worldwide release is something out of a spy movie. Finally coming to the West in 1988, the puzzle gameplay of arranging falling obstacles is completely addictive. For players who like to beat their own high scores, look no further than Tetris. Platforms: Arcade Perhaps the most iconic arcade game of all time, Namco's 1980 classic Pac-Man is still played and loved today and has spawned spin-off games such as Pinball and World Rally, a kart-racing game. Pac-Man itself has a very easy concept: Eat all the dots inside a maze while you avoid four colored ghosts. It's simple, it's addictive and it's no surprise that it's stood the test of time. Perfect if you're just looking to relax and don't want to get too sucked in. Platforms: Arcade, NES Released in 1985 by Nintendo, Super Mario Bros. is the first title in the iconic series. Sending players out as either Mario or Luigi, players must advance through side-scrolling worlds to rescue Princess Toadstool from Bowser. You know the story. You know the gameplay. If you love Mario games, you'll love this. Bottom Line 1980s video games were nothing short of revolutionary. Whether they were produced for arcades or for the plethora of new home consoles, they captivated audiences like no games had before. Laying the grounds for the industry, the impact of '80s games is still clear today. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What Are Popular '80s Arcade Games? One of the most popular arcade games of the '80s was Donkey Kong from Nintendo. The game that introduced the world to Mario, it was a platformer that changed the game, and consequently, the whole industry. Its legacy cannot be understated, and without it the industry would not look the same today. Maze games like Pac-Man from Namco were also hugely popular, offering players a challenging and addictive gameplay loop where they could set out to beat their friends' high scores. What Were Popular '80s Game Consoles? In the '80s Atari and Nintendo consoles dominated, with the Nintendo Entertainment System being one of the most iconic still around. With franchises like Mario available on the latter, it quickly became a hit in homes across the world. With the '80s being the decade where gaming at home became a reality for many, it's also worth mentioning that arcade cabinets continued to be as popular as ever, before they started to drop off in the '90s. What Are Popular Video Games Of The '90s? Whilst the arcade platformers of the '80s remained popular throughout the '90s, advancements in technology saw the rise of first-person shooter games such as Doom and GoldenEye 007. The extra power in consoles and PCs in the '90s meant a lot of new ideas popped up. Games with richer stories also grew in popularity, including titles like Silent Hill, which also provided players with genuine scares as part of the survival horror genre. By the end of the '90s, games looked almost unrecognizable from what were available just 10 years earlier.
