Latest news with #Carr
Ottawa Citizen
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Ottawa Citizen
Today's letters: National Gallery mustn't neglect these volunteers
In search of Emily Carr, without help Article content I recently visited the Royal B.C. Museum in Victoria. I was hoping to see many of Emily Carr's paintings but I was told that the National Gallery of Canada has a lot more. I visited the gallery on Victoria Day, May 19. The information desk in the Great Hall was empty. I couldn't find any of Carr's paintings near the Group of Seven collection. The only person to ask was a security guard but he wasn't able to help me. I am wondering: Why is the gallery cutting the service of knowlegable volunteers? Article content Article content Maria Barczyk, Ottawa Article content Thank you for recognizing the important work of the volunteers at the National Gallery of Canada. Having worked at the gallery as a docent since 2016, I have found it rewarding at so many levels. I have loved working with children visitors, doing tours, giving talks and appreciating art with both friends and the public. I have learned so much. Article content It would be wonderful to hear that the service of the volunteers could be re-instated. Article content Why would the National Gallery silence its most passionate, knowledgeable ambassadors? Volunteers gave freely — and this is the thanks they get. Kicking out trained volunteers who helped thousands engage with art is shameful. Article content The gallery claims to care about education and access, then scraps the very program that delivered both. Hypocrisy in action. Thousands of hours of free, expert work were erased overnight. This isn't just a mistake. It's an insult to the public, which funds the gallery. Article content Article content Royal visits can prompt grumbling about the monarchy. While it is indeed odd that the individual who is 'the final decider' in matters of public policy and appointments is someone in another country — who has that role by virtue of who their parents were, and their birth order — let us consider the positives. Article content As we look south, we see an administration that increasingly exploits the levers of governance for personal and partisan advantage, to the detriment of much of the populace and the world. Although it should be subject to the law and courts, it has structured the courts to its political advantage. Article content So it is comforting to know that, under our constitutional monarchy, the 'final decider' is someone who is completely insulated from all of that, and gives assent based on whether something is good for the nation, rather than for himself or herself personally or politically.
Business Insider
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
No more long lines? AI and other new technologies are transforming amusement parks this summer.
It is a truth universally acknowledged: Lines are the worst part of amusement parks. Sure, too many $8 pretzels can gut your budget, but there's something uniquely taxing about waiting in line for a popular ride on a sticky summer day. There might be a fix, however: artificial intelligence. New technology of all kinds is transforming the theme park experience in the United States, helping drive growth in the industry. Among the theme parks leveraging new technology is Legoland. "We're using a technology called Vision AI," Adrian Thompson, operations transformation director for Legoland's parent company, Merlin Entertainments, toldBusiness Insider. "We have cameras placed over our attractions that analyze the number of people physically riding those attractions at any given time. It doesn't identify you uniquely, but it identifies the number of people riding an attraction." Thompson said incorporating AI into attraction line areas allows ride managers to receive data in real time, mitigating potential issues or delays. "If they see anomalies in that data — the number of dispatches has reduced or the queue times have gone up — they can take action at that moment and make changes," Thompson said. "Before, when it was all paper-based, we didn't have access to all that data in real time. You might not have gotten that information until the end of the day, at which point it's too late to impact the guest experience." New tech brings the Arctic to Florida About 40 miles north of Legoland is SeaWorld, where Expedition Odyssey opened to the public last month. Expedition Odyssey is an immersive flying theater ride that transports guests to the Arctic using real footage of the icy landscapes and wildlife. "There's no CGI in it," Conner Carr, the vice president of rides and engineering for SeaWorld and Busch Gardens' parent company, United Parks & Resorts, told BI. "The standard on those ride types has always been to generate with animation or CGI effects for a ride film." Instead, SeaWorld sent teams equipped with custom-lensed cameras and drones on expeditions to the Arctic to capture the videos. "For us, it's not just a theme park experience. It's that zoological aspect, too," Carr said. "We don't want to sit in an office and draw a beluga whale. We want to show them a real one." Although the authentic footage helps set Expedition Odyssey apart from its peers, Carr said there's another reason he refers to it as the "most technologically advanced ride" SeaWorld has ever done. A typical flying theater involves guests entering their seats, enjoying the show, and exiting before another group can enter. Expedition Odyssey uses a rotating main tower that allows guests to load the ride while another is already watching the footage. Once the ride is done, the tower will essentially flip, and the groups will switch places. "This lets us keep the line moving and procedures like you would see on a coaster, but on a completely new type of ride that typically doesn't allow that," Carr said. Carr said another way guests interact with new technology at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens theme parks is by including audio and visual aspects in the line. "That's what Penguin Trek does," Carr said, referring to a roller coaster at the Orlando park. "When you dispatch on the ride, you have special effects and lights that make you feel like you're in an ice cave that's falling." That technology is also found at Busch Gardens, where guests can ride the Phoenix Rising roller coaster, which utilizes media screens, lights, and onboard audio. At SeaWorld, Carr said 3D scanning has become a reliable tool for repairs and creating models. "It is not just roller coaster track replacement. We use 3D scanning all over the place," Carr said. "The technology has been amazing for new projects like Penguin Trek and Expedition Odyssey." Augmented reality is another type of technology becoming more prevalent at amusement parks, including Legoland California and Legoland Florida. The Lego Ferrari Build & Race attraction allows guests to build and test cars, then use augmented reality to scan and race them virtually. Hands-on activities are a priority for Legoland theme parks, where the Ninjago ride uses hand-tracking movements that let riders use hand gestures to test their skills. "The beauty for us is we're always going to do hands-on experiences because it's Lego," Thompson said. Carr said SeaWorld and Busch Gardens have a similar approach, given their animal conservation efforts. "The mission is to inspire and educate right alongside rescuing all the animals," he said. Other theme parks in the United States are also flexing their tech acumen, including Disney, which partnered with Nvidia and Google DeepMind to develop Newton. The open-source physics engine will help robots learn to navigate tasks more accurately. Disney intends to use the technology to enhance the robotic characters in its theme parks to be more lifelike. "This collaboration will allow us to create a new generation of robotic characters that are more expressive and engaging than ever before—and connect with our guests in ways that only Disney can," Kyle Laughlin, the senior vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering's Research and Development, said in a press release. Theme parks are navigating tariffs Although the attractions industry continues to entice guests from around the globe, the volatility caused by the Trump administration's tariffs has become an unpredictable obstacle. "New tariffs will make securing product — like games, plush, and merchandise made outside the United States — more expensive to import. Ahead of the rate hikes, some operators created additional storage space and took possession of goods earlier in the season than what they have imported in the past to avoid paying the tariffs," the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions said this month. The association said the tariffs have also strained the US relationship with Canada, potentially affecting theme park attendance this summer. "Also of concern for several American facilities: a softening in the zest to travel south by Canadians who are accustomed to spending their summers in the United States. The current political climate between the two nations may adversely affect the sentiment to travel in the months ahead," the IAAPA said. However, the uncertainty hasn't stopped companies from steamrolling ahead with ambitious projects. Universal's newest theme park, Epic Universe, opened to fanfare this month in Florida, while Disney announced plans to develop its seventh theme park in Abu Dhabi.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Joe Rogan Calls Student Loans A Scam 'You Cannot Absolve Even With Bankruptcy.' Says 'It's The Dirtiest Thing Ever'
On a recent episode of 'The Joe Rogan Experience,' British comedian Jimmy Carr joined Joe Rogan for a wide-ranging conversation that took a serious turn when they began talking about corporate greed, education, and the crushing weight of student debt in the U.S. Rogan didn't hold back when discussing the way student loans trap young people. "It's the one debt you cannot absolve in America even with bankruptcy," he said. "It's a scam. It's the dirtiest thing ever." Don't Miss: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — 'Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. Carr agreed and argued that the U.S. and U.K. should cancel student debt altogether. "We mis-sold people some bullsh*t degrees," he said. "You're taking those people that took a chance and they went to university and they gave their time and they studied hard ... and then they can't buy a house because ... [their degree is] not in a STEM subject, it's in the humanities or something, and they don't get the lifestyle they worked hard for." Carr also pointed out that while socialism is often treated like a dirty word, most people accept its role in essential services like fire departments and public schools. "Everyone agrees, right?" he said. "If your house burns down, we're going to have a fire service. It's not like, 'Oh, we don't take care of that.'" Rogan added that corporations rarely aim to do good once they're public. "They never are satisfied," he said. "They never go, 'Guys, we're doing great. If we just make this amount of money every year, like, that's wonderful. Let's just hang back. I think our profits are very high. Let's do good.'" Trending: Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal:. The two also talked about how student loans mostly burden middle- and working-class kids, locking them out of upward mobility. Carr described education as a social equalizer. "The opportunity to educate yourself and to do better is like—that's sort of part of the American Dream, isn't it?" he said. Rogan agreed and noted that 18-year-olds often don't understand the long-term consequences of debt. "You're too young to be connected to a $50,000 debt when you're 18. You don't know what it means," he said. "The fact that it's going to follow you around forever and haunt you... I think it's evil."Their discussion comes as the federal government resumes collections on defaulted loans for the first time since 2020. The U.S. Department of Education reports that 42.7 million borrowers owe over $1.6 trillion in federal student debt. Only about one-third of those borrowers are currently making regular payments. According to a TransUnion report earlier this month, 20.5% of borrowers with payments due were more than 90 days late as of February. That's nearly double the 11.5% delinquency rate from February 2020 before pandemic relief began. Borrowers who defaulted saw their credit scores drop by an average of 63 points, with some super prime borrowers losing as much as 175 points. Experts warn this could make it harder to get loans, buy homes, or even rent. Read Next: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Joe Rogan Calls Student Loans A Scam 'You Cannot Absolve Even With Bankruptcy.' Says 'It's The Dirtiest Thing Ever' originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Netflix Behind Jimmy Carr Comedy Podcast; Champion's League Soccer Breaks Records On Amazon; Prime Video ‘Stolen' Trailer
Netflix Behind Jimmy Carr Comedy Podcast About Obscure Genres Netflix is tapping into its thousands and thousands of niche sub-genres with a podcast in which comedians pitch movie ideas to host Jimmy Carr. In The Big Pitch with Jimmy Carr, guests will come up with ideas to fit one of Netflix's most 27,000 obscure sub-genres, which range from 'Steamy Crime Movies from the 1970s'' to 'Australian Dysfunctional Family Comedies Starring A Strong Female Lead.' Joining Carr will be Nick Mohammed, Phil Wang, Romesh Ranganathan, Ahir Shah, Kerry Godliman, Michelle Wolf, London Hughes, Chris McCausland, Jamali Maddix and Asim Chaudhry. The pod will drop today on podcast platforms plus visual episodes on the Netflix is a Joke YouTube channel. Netflix already makes a number of pods, mostly as companions to its big shows. The Big Pitch with Jimmy Carr is the first Netflix commission for the BBC Studios Audio hub. Carr, who hosts Amazon's hit Last One Laughing UK show, said: 'This podcast gives a glimpse behind the scenes of the rigorous pitching process and it's also a good excuse to mess around with some very funny friends.' More from Deadline Netflix Co-Founder Reed Hastings Joins Board Of AI Firm Anthropic Leanne Morgan, Chuck Lorre Comedy Series 'Leanne' Gets Netflix Premiere Date; First Look Hugh Bonneville Among 9 Confirmed New Cast For Season 2 Of 'The Gentlemen' As Production Begins Champion's League Soccer Breaks Records For Amazon Champion's League soccer has become Prime Video's most watched sports league in Europe. According to the Amazon streamer, the first season of the European knockout competition on Prime was watched by more than 13 million people. Prime had rights to a number of games from the much-loved tournament for the first time including the semi-final between PSG and Arsenal, which Prime said attracted more than 5 million viewers. Coverage of the UEFA Champions League in the UK and Ireland will return in August for the 2025-26 season, in a deal that runs through to the conclusion of the 2026-27 season. It also airs on TNT Sports, while highlights are shown on the BBC. Starting this October, Prime will also have access to exclusive NBA regular and postseason games in the UK, Ireland and elsewhere following an 11-year global media rights deal. 'These record audiences show how the reach and accessibility of Prime extends these huge European matches to even more fans,' said Alex Green, Managing Director of Prime Video Sport, International. Prime Video Reveals Trailer For 'Stolen' Prime Video's latest Hindi-language movie, Stolen, has located a trailer ahead of its June 4 launch worldwide. The investigative crime thriller, which stars Abhishek Banerjee, Harish Khanna, Mia Maelzer, Sahidur Rahaman and Shubham Vardhan, is helmed by Karan Tejpal in his directorial debut. Anurag Kashyap, Kiran Rao, Nikkhil Advani and Vikramaditya Motwane are the exec producers, and Gaurav Dhingra produces for Jungle Book Studio. The pic opens at the heart-wrenching moment when a baby is snatched from her mother, Jhumpa (Maelzer), who then embarks on a relentless rescue mission alongside brothers Raman (Vardhan) and Gautam (Banerjee) deep in India's remote hinterlands. Prime Video swooped to acquire rights to the film earlier this week after a 2023 launch at Venice, which preceded a long run at festivals. It picked up prizes at the Beijing International Film Festival, Japan's Skip City D-International Cinema Festival and Zurich Film Festival, the latter honoring it with a special mention. Best of Deadline 'The Morning Show' Season 4: Everything We Know So Far 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 'Hacks' Season 4 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out?
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Agoura Hills home displaying Palestinian flag attacked in hate crime, authorities say
Authorities are searching for the man who allegedly damaged the door of an Agoura Hills home displaying a Palestinian flag, according to investigators who are describing the attack as a hate crime. The incident took place at the 30400 block of Passageway Place around 2 p.m. on Sept. 28, 2024, but the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department posted a social media post Tuesday, asking for the public's help in identifying the suspect who was videotaped by a doorbell camera. LASD acting Capt. Dustin Carr said the investigation has been ongoing since the incident took place, and turned to the public's help this week after investigators were unable to identify the suspect. Detectives said the suspect approached the home and aggressively began pounding and kicking the door, spewing racist remarks and verbal threats in reference to a Palestinian flag displayed on an upstairs window. The resident's door sustained damages, the LASD said in the X post Tuesday. Carr said the door sustained multiple scratches and foot marks. Investigators do not believe the suspect lives in the area. The department confirmed the residents inside the home are not of Palestinian nationality. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim advocacy group known as CAIR-LA, commended the LASD for investigating the incident as a hate crime. 'No one should face harassment or threats simply for displaying a flag that represents their identity or their call for justice. This alarming act is part of the broader rise in anti-Palestinian hate and Islamophobia,' CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said in a statement Wednesday. 'We must remain vigilant in opposing all forms of hate and ensure our communities can safely express their identities and stand up for justice and human rights.' The incident comes months after a violent clash between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian students camping on UCLA's campus in May 2024. The suspect, who remains unidentified, was wearing glasses and a white shirt with black pants. He is believed to be about 30 years old. Anyone with information on the suspect is asked to contact Det. Aquino at the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station at (818) 878-1808. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
