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CNET
11 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
Confused by Classic Novels? This AI Tool Helps You Understand Older Books While You Read Them
I'm someone who relishes the feel of real books, the touch of the pages on my fingertips as I flip through them, so e-readers have never been my thing. But I recently came across Rebind, an artificial intelligence app that uses AI and prerecorded commentary from experts to guide you while you read classic novels. Rebind lets you pick a book from its library and then discuss that book with an AI-powered chatbot and watch video content from the company's "Rebinders." I wanted to see if it would add to the experience of reading old books whose context is a little further away from what we experience in 2025. What is Rebind? The platform launched last year, as the entrepreneurial and creative collaboration of John Kaag and John Dubuque. With it you can access stand-alone titles for $30 or sign up for an annual subscription ($120 a year). Rebinders are a handpicked collection of writers, philosophers and commentators who guide your reading process through hours of prerecorded video commentary, woven into each chapter. Books available on Rebind Some of the books to choose from on Rebind are: Dubliners by James Joyce Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche Walden by Henry David Thoreau Meditations by Marcus Aurelius Metamorphosis and Two Other Stories by Franz Kafka Selections from Buddhism The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Coming soon to its library are the Bible, Voltaire's Candide, Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities, EM Forster's A Room With a View, James Joyce's Ulysses and more. I decided on Conrad's Heart of Darkness, which I'd be able to explore in discussion with Rebinder and Pulitzer Prize finalist Chloé Cooper Jones. This was a reread for me, chosen for its timely and familiar themes — plus Jones' gender and cultural identity. In total, I spent three days immersing myself in three sectioned chapters, 11 discussions and seven videos on the Rebind platform. Rebind/Screenshot by CNET How Rebind AI works Once I accessed Heart of Darkness, I was prompted with a video on the righthand side of my computer screen where Jones introduced herself and detailed her connection and reaction to the book. Below it, the first chapter was laid out in front of me. When highlighting a section, I could add reactions, start an AI-powered chat about the section or annotate, highlight and copy the text. There's also an option to change text size, theme colors, font and page customization. (To ease eye strain, I decided on a black theme and Arial font.) Each title has a table of contents where you can navigate to different videos and discussions within each chapter. I was immediately drawn to the first discussion, titled "Darkness Vs Light." Good news for my self-esteem: The AI-powered discussion chatbot responded with commentary pulled from hours of Jones' prerecorded content, and was fond of my take on this first discussion point. If no one else is validating your intellect, maybe Rebind is a place to spend a few days. Talking classic literature via AI chatbot. Rebind/Screenshot by CNET It was a bit like a next-generation picture book. I found myself seeking out Jones' face for her video commentary — and a way to break up the monotony of words that streamed down my computer screen. I hold a theory that all books should read like a book of essays, where each chapter is connected to another, though not chronological — nor imperative to read in a linear format. Without the physical element of turning pages, I found my eyes glazing over as I read (and eventually skimmed) the pages that followed — particularly when I reread portions my brain deemed familiar. So, similarly to how I interact with physical reads, I skipped around through chapters. On Rebind, though, I had the option to weave in and out of videos, discussions and suggested questions that popped up in each chapter. This, inevitably, is where I felt the most stimulated. The process nurtured a nice balance between my curiosity about and my comprehension of the book. While I believe Rebind's mission was to delve into the rich psychological takes within each classic's chapters, its structure helped me focus on certain aspects of the title instead of forcing myself to sift through the entirety of the read. Did Rebind potentially solve the challenge of reading for those who are easily distracted, though creative and curious? Seventeen-year-old high school AP English me would have voted for Rebind's approach, rather than the chunks of reading assigned each night. Chloé Cooper Jones offers thoughts about Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness. Rebind/Screenshot by CNET Can AI help you read classic novels? For those who may be seeking interaction without needing to find an in-person community, or who may want a new topic to present to a community that already exists, I can see Rebind as a way to navigate your own thoughts and questions, without being subjected to overwhelming or exhausting personalities. (Though that may be a good mental exercise.) I'd sort of expected to be dissatisfied, somehow, with Rebind, but it offers an opportunity to learn something about yourself — which mirrors Rebind's mission to think deeply and explore reads beyond the words on the page. I was pleasantly surprised by Rebind's interactive nature, even though it uses aspects of the reading experience I normally steer clear of: e-readers and book clubs. What I realized is that Rebind declutters the experiences or tools needed to find a classic read, have a discussion about it, find new connections and meaning to its themes and motifs, and not have to go outside. While I think $120 for annual access is pricey, I can side with a $30 standalone title, knowing that I'm paying for access to experts and artificial intelligence integration within the platform. Personal preference aside, I stand with a platform using AI to keep books accessible — even if that means navigating them on a digital screen, in discussion and with algorithms toiling in the background.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Derry City need to clamp down on yob violence which is a threat to fan safety along with League of Ireland growth
WHEN its most arresting image is of someone sitting on a fence holding what looks like a rocket launcher, it has not been a good weekend for the League of Ireland. The video doing the rounds with a clearly petrified young girl crying out to her daddy, from outside the ground, as 2 Local yobs attacked away fans in this instance Credit: X 2 Carl Winchester looks on after a flare was thrown onto the pitch It is bad enough when facilities in many grounds are not up to scratch without the inherent danger extending beyond rank toilets to the threat of getting caught up in violence. One view of what happened in Derry is a crowd of Dubliners came up looking for trouble, got it and the response that followed might make them think twice about trying that again. And there will not be a huge amount of sympathy for any Bohs supporter who got their comeuppance having decided the best way to spend their time before kick-off was to attack locals. It is difficult to see how they thought it was going to go well for them in an area where people are more accustomed to defending their turf than most. Read More On Irish Football Some reports suggested the fight was pre-arranged, with others claiming it was revenge for an attack on Bohs fans when the Phibsborough club played there earlier in the season. Of course, neither the protagonists on this occasion nor those who sought retribution gave too much thought to the innocent bystanders who could be Former Candystripes captain and manager Peter Hutton warned: 'These ultras or young boys are putting fear into the young supporters who simply want to enjoy the football. "There is no place for it in the game. Parents will now be thinking twice whether it is safe to let their children go to games. Most read in Football 'If these guys are planning trouble in advance and looking to get things into the ground, the club needs to ramp up its security and be aware of this.' Such scenes are, for the most part, rare in our League which is why the attack on St Pat's fans outside a pub in Irishtown prior to the 2021 FAI Cup final against Bohs got so much attention. Drake hints Cole Palmer is inspiration behind his new album name as he shares brilliant video of Chelsea star There was also an attack on a pub in Drumcondra prior to the league meeting between But Dublin derbies with the potential for trouble are generally well managed in the immediate vicinity of grounds through segregation and the staggered departure of home and away supporters. That is what happened in Derry on Friday night too, except there was no attempt made to contain the away contingent within the stand, where they had a level of protection, when pictures were already circulating on social media of masked youngsters armed with golf clubs and more lying in wait outside. When they drifted outside to the open area behind the stand and fireworks were propelled in their direction, there was some surprise that there was no obvious effort to get them to shelter and to make their way out safely towards their coaches via the pitch. Much of the local reaction has focused on the initial attack, which is understandable, but there is a wider issue here surrounding the safety of away supporters in Derry which nobody can afford to ignore. STRUGGLE FOR BUSES Some supporters' clubs for away teams no longer run buses for that fixture or, even if they want to, struggle to find companies willing to bring them based on past experience. In April of last year, as happened on Friday, a match against The sight of a young boy entering the pitch to pick it up during the game — which was being broadcast live on television — and running a significant distance with the flare in his hand was not a great advertisement for its stewarding which, uniquely and for obvious reasons, does not have a police presence inside the ground. Unlike on Friday, Rovers supporters were moved to the centre circle after the final whistle in an attempt to keep them out of harm's way. It prompted Derry to move away fans to a different part of the ground when St Pat's came to town 72 hours later. When the PSNI responded to the disturbances at the Rovers game, they were attacked with missiles. As a result of what happened, Derry City were fined €2,000 by an independent disciplinary committee, which also imposed a suspended partial stadium closure although that would only come into force if anything happened at their next home game after their ruling, against Shelbourne. That did not come to pass but Shels had already had their own problems there the previous October when a coach carrying its supporters was bricked as it left the area, with a gofundme page launched to pay the near-€4,000 bill to replace a smashed door window. ATTACK ON ROVERS FANS A month prior to that, Rovers fans had been attacked when coming out of the ground, again, not, it is believed, by anyone who had attended the game. That recurring theme does make it difficult for Derry City, as a club, to address it. After they were sanctioned last year, the club issued a statement accepting the ruling. It added: 'The club condemns the scenes in and around the ground on Friday night and has cooperated fully with the Disciplinary Control Unit of the FAI. 'Since the events of last Friday, representatives of the club have met with several statutory agencies to discuss enhanced crowd control measures. 'As a result of continued anti-social behaviour, the club need to take additional measures to ensure that all supporters attending games in the Ryan McBride stadium can enjoy a safe and enjoyable match night experience. "This is highly unfortunate and not a move the club takes lightly. It has, however been forced on the club due to those recent events.' A separate League of Ireland statement said that it 'and the FAI are committed to providing a safe environment for players, officials, staff and spectators at all our fixtures'. UNIQUE BACKDROP But crowd control within a stadium is tough enough without the remit extending beyond its perimeter walls. And the reality is that, no matter how well-intentioned, neither the club nor the FAI can guarantee the safety of away fans — and nor can the PSNI. Clearly, trying to police the area outside The Brandywell is not comparable to any other League of Ireland ground so it is up to those in the Bogside itself. If those with influence have any regard for a club which has made a significant contribution to both the community, and, in its 40 years as a member, the League, they will put an end to this carry-on before its name is tarnished any further. And those travelling north might wise up too and, in a phrase with which Bohs fans will be familiar, 'concentrate on the football'.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
The pros and cons of the local property tax
Analysis: With most house owners facing higher property tax bills, a look at the advantages and disadvantages of the tax introduced in 2013 By , University of Galway The local property tax (LPT) is in the news again. Councillors in Dublin City Council (DCC) recently voted to raise the rate of tax next year, which will mean higher LPT bills for capital city residents. In November, a nationwide revaluation of residential properties will also lead to higher LPT payments. Over a decade since the LPT was introduced, it is time to reflect on the pros and cons of Ireland's residential property tax, viewed from the perspective of taxpayers, users of public services, government (both central and local), and wider society. Pros (1) As a tax on property, the LPT widens the tax base. As a desired feature of a country's overall tax system, a broad tax base means that there is less need for higher taxes on household incomes, business profits, or consumer spending. From RTÉ News, Dublin City Council votes to increase local property tax (2) It is a tax on wealth. As the majority of household wealth in Ireland is in the form of real estate property (primarily housing assets), an annual tax on the value of residential properties is a fair and equitable way to redistribute wealth. (3) Property taxes distort economic activity and harm economic growth less than other taxes. According to the OECD, on a ' tax and growth ' ranking, recurrent taxes on immovable property appear to have the least impact on economic growth, compared to, for example, personal income taxes, corporate taxes, or consumption taxes (e.g. VAT or excise duties). (4) Property taxes are an ideal way to fund local government and the provision of local public services as properties are relatively immobile preventing taxpayers from relocating elsewhere. In Ireland, local authorities can vary the LPT rate. These rate-setting powers increase fiscal autonomy and improve local accountability. (5) As currently designed, the LPT is relatively straightforward to understand and comply with. The tax rate is low (currently at 0.1029% and to be lowered to 0.0906% from next year), progressive (with higher rates, of 0.25% and 0.3%, for higher-valued properties), exemptions are few, deferrals are allowed, revaluations are regular (keeping it up-to-date), with multiple payment options available. From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland, majority of Dubliners to see property tax rise next year Cons (1) Worldwide, property taxes are unpopular, with opposition from property owners and tenants, public representatives, lobby groups, etc. Often described as the most hated tax of all, the unpopularity of property taxes is related to its visibility, the yearly one-off payment by means of the 'cheque in the post', and as it is a tax on the home. In Ireland, opposition is also related to the fact that it is a relatively new tax and was introduced during the austerity era when many households were experiencing financial difficulties. (2) As a tax source, it raises relatively little revenue. It accounts for less than one per cent of government's total tax revenue, and is diminishing over time. Despite the rise in property prices, the tax take from the LPT, at about €550m per year, is flat due to the persistent widening of the valuation bands and lowering of the basic rate as a means to placate homeowners and voters. (3) As it is self-assessed, there is the likelihood that some properties are undervalued, raising less revenue for local government, leading to inequities across properties, and ultimately undermining the LPT system. Ó RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta's Tús Áite, aréir do vótáil Comhairle Contae Dhún Laoghaire Ráth an Dúin ar son laghdú 15% a dhéanamh ar an gcáin mhaoin áitiúil sa chontae – an leibhéal is ísle go bhféadfaí. Labhair Oisín O'Connor, Comhairleoir leis an gComhaontas Glas i gComhairle Contae Dhún Laoghaire Ráth an Dúin linn faoin scéal seo (4) From the local authority perspective, the LPT is not a buoyant source of income, making it difficult to meet the extra demands on its services and the higher costs arising from recent inflationary pressures. In addition, for urban local authorities with a large property tax base, not all of the income from the LPT is discretionary, as a portion (known as self-funding) is decided by central government vis-à-vis the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. For example, in DCC, although the estimated LPT amount in 2025 was €101m, €57.6m was used for self-funding with only €43.3m left for own-use purposes. When the discount of 15% was applied (albeit by local councillors), it left only €28m for discretionary use. (5) Given the unpopular nature of the LPT (and especially from the main opposition political party which is committed to phasing out the tax) combined with the relatively small amount of revenue raised, there is the possibility that a future government might be tempted to abolish the LPT, leaving no annual residential property tax levied on homeowners. While many households might welcome such a decision, this would be a mistake similar to the decision almost 50 years ago to abolish domestic rates leaving our local authorities under-resourced and a system of public administration in Ireland that is very centralised with a weakened local democracy. As homeowners prepare to revalue their properties on November 1st for the purposes of the LPT, I am reminded of a quote attributed to James Madison, the fourth president of the United States and acclaimed father of the US Constitution: "the power to tax people and their property is essential to the very existence of government". We may not like tax and especially property taxes but as another famous American once said, taxes are what we pay for a civilised society.
Metro
2 days ago
- Metro
I spent a weekend in Ireland's best-kept secret — the rain didn't matter at all
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more With long sandy beaches and trendy seafood restaurants, it's easy to forget that Skerries is less than an hour from the bustling heart of Dublin. This small seaside town, which means 'the rocks' in Irish, is an under-the-radar gem on Ireland's east coast. On weekends, I'm told, it's where Dubliners like to escape. I first heard of Skerries when I was watching Sharon Horgan's Bad Sisters, and felt compelled to Google where it was filmed. Up popped a little fishing village and out popped my credit card to book flights. Thankfully, five minutes of fame has not opened the floodgates to an onslaught of tourists. The fact that there are no hotels in Skerries has helped, though there are plenty of rental cottages and a few local guesthouses. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. From wild swimming to walking trails and authentic trad seisiúnta , here's everything there is to do in one of Ireland's best-kept secrets. Home to just under 11,000 permanent residents, Skerries is small. For tourists, that means everything is central. To get your bearings, a solid starting point is a stroll along the coastal path, an easy circular walking route that links the North and South beaches with Martello Tower, a small fort dating back to 1804. There's history everywhere you step. Skerries was once home to St. Patrick's Monastery, the site of a Viking invasion. A plaque on a stone wall above the beach remembers Muriel Gifford, the widow of Irish revolutionary hero Thomas MacDonagh who was executed by the British in 1916. She drowned while swimming in Skerries one year later. The path stretches almost 7km to Balbriggan Beach, past the 18th-Century Ardgillan Castle and Lady's Stairs, two big tourist ticks in the area. On the horizon, the Mourne Mountains provide a moody sense of majesty. Closer to shore, local fishermen return around the headland with their daily catch. I follow my nose down to the harbour to explore Ireland's blossoming food scene. I am in thrall to a local recommendation. So 'you have to try the chowder in Stoop Your Head' is the kind of order I am more than happy to obey. Inside a nautical-inspired building on Harbour Road is a family-run restaurant with a simple but delicious menu. I plump for the chowder (€10.50), a thick creamy bowl bursting with fresh fish that tastes like it jumped right out of the sea and straight onto my table. It's served with the age-old Irish favourite, a chunky wedge of soda bread that I could have easily enjoyed on its own. Outside on the pier, a miniature ice-cream parlour is hidden in a candy-striped shack. Aptly named Storm in a Teacup, it looks like the perfect place for a post-dinner scoop, but as the heavens open, I forgo a cone in search of a nightcap somewhere dry instead. With pubs aplenty in Skerries, there is no shortage of places to wait out the rain. The Snug on New Street is a fantastic find with open fires, cosy rooms and a main bar hosting traditional music once a week. I am fortunate enough to stumble across the bar just as a group of musicians are tuning up and nab myself a bar stool within touching distance of the band. Friendly patrons warmly welcome me to their 'local' and two hours quickly pass in a blur of fiddles, lilts and Tayto crisps. On the short walk home, I find myself slowing down outside an estate agent's window just to 'have a look'. A surefire sign that this place is worth at least one visit. All roads seem to lead back to the harbour, which is where I find breakfast the next morning. Goat in the Boat is a trendy coffee-shop-cum-homewares-store. They also make ice-cream, but I settle for a croissant and hot chocolate to kick-start day two, before heading back inland to check out the sights. It's not your typical Irish breakfast, but it does me just fine. Skerries Mills Museum is only a few minutes' walk from the beach. Tickets are €8 if booked in advance, and you get to see two working windmills and a watermill on a tour that takes about an hour. A café on site is famous for its scones, and there's a farmers' market on Saturdays full of local foods and crafts. As I am a day early, I settle for an extra-large slice of cheesecake before wandering back to the harbour. The pace of life feels gloriously slow in Skerries. There is little traffic and each road looks unique with brightly coloured houses, the odd thatched cottage and an array of quaint old pubs. Even in the pouring rain, people smile and take the time to say hello to a drenched tourist. Due to the weather, I reluctantly leave my swimsuit languishing in the bottom of my bag, but looking out across the blustery Irish Sea, it is easy to imagine a sunny day with kayakers and kitesurfers jockeying for space on the water; eager toddlers queuing at the ice-cream shack for the Flavour of the Day, and revellers spilling out of bars on to the streets. More Trending I'm already planning a return visit for the annual Trad Music Festival that takes place on the first weekend in June. Until then, I make the most of a break between showers to snap a few soggy selfies on the waterfront before grabbing lunch at Hit the Road Jacques, and then doing just that. Despite not seeing the sun, I had a truly wonderful trip to the Irish seaside. From authentic watering holes, to watersports and windmills, Skerries is a well-kept seaside secret that is worth its salt all year round. Just don't tell anyone. Flights from London to Dublin can cost as little as £16 one-way with Ryanair. From there, it's a 50-minute drive to Skerries, or just over an hour on the 33A bus from the city centre. Once you're there, the Redbank Guest House has 18 rooms starting from £65 per person per night in summer. Sunset Crag rental apartment is available on Airbnb for £129 per night in June 2026. MORE: I flew 4,600 miles to a Jamaican resort that offers more than just 'fly and flop' MORE: Is it safe to travel to Greece? Latest tourist advice amid 'unpredictable' wildfires MORE: I stayed in one of the world's biggest Four Seasons resorts — it was the ultimate reset
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Conference League qualifiers: Chris Forrester finds late winner for St Pat's against nine-man Kalju
Conference League second round qualifiers, first leg: St Patrick's Athletic 1 (Forrester 90) Kalju 0 As he has so often in the past, Chris Forrester proved St Patrick's Athletic 's talisman once again with a dramatic late winner just as it seemed frustration would be the order of the night by the Camac. With the Kalju goal under siege as they defended heroically with nine men for over 20 minutes, St Pat's finally gave themselves something to bring to Estonia next week with a 90th-minute goal. A triple substitution by manager Stephen Kenny in the 79th minute would eventually bring the Dubliners their due reward with all three players contributing. Brandon Kavanagh fed Conor Carty down the inside left channel and though the striker's drive was parried by goalkeeper Maksim Pavlov, Forrester – St Pat's record European appearance holder – pounced on the loose ball to show clever feet and score from close in. READ MORE While St Patrick's dominated on the night, and well before Kalju's two dismissals, it remains all to play for in Tallinn in next Thursday's second leg. Mason Melia reacts to a missed chance for St Pat's. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho Kenny made one change from last week's win against Lithuanian side Hegelmann, with Zach Elbouzedi replacing Jake Mulraney on the right flank as St Pat's started on the front foot. Pavlov looked far from sure of himself early on, tipping over crosses from Jay McClelland and Barry Baggley, while also fortunate that nothing came of having an attempted clearance charged down by Mason Melia. Though St Pat's continued to dominate the ball, it was the 28th minute before they seriously threatened, left-back Modou Tambedou doing well to nick the ball off the toe of Simon Power from Baggley's through ball. If suspect in the air, Pavlov did show pretty competent shot-stopping abilities with saves on McClelland and substitute Jake Mulraney as St Pat's frustration grew with no tangible reward forthcoming by the break. Home agitation continued into the second half, Melia not able to get enough purchase on a downward header from Mulraney's cross to trouble Pavlov. Kalju then mustered their first spell of pressure on the home goal with Tom Grivosti defending well to block a shot from Mattias Mannilaan amid three successive corners for the visitors. Back at the other end, plaintive shouts for a handball were not entertained in a scramble that followed a header from McClelland off Baggley's corner. Referee Ladislav Szikszay shows Kalju's Rommi Siht a red card. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho Kalju, having shipped four bookings already, were reduced to 10 men on 64 minutes when Rommi Siht was dismissed after a foul on Kian Leavy for his second yellow card. It got worse numerically for the Estonians four minutes later as Danyl Mashchenko was also sent off for a second yellow-card offence for hauling down Mulraney. Minutes later Melia looked set to break the deadlock only to slice his volley wide after Grivosti picked him out in space right in front of goal. With Kalju pinned back in their final third, substitute Aidan Keena worked Pavlov at his near post before Kalju's heroic defending was undone with Forrester's big goal. Pavlov would then prevent further damage with the save of the night in the 93rd minute in turning Kavanagh's drive round a post. ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Anang; McLaughlin (Keena, 70), Redmond, Grivosti, McClelland; Lennon (Forrester, 79), Baggley; Elbouzedi (Mulraney, 24), Leavy (Kavanagh, 79), Power; Melia (Carty, 79). KALJU: Pavlov; Tarassenkov, Mashchenko, Podholjuzin (Korre, 45+6), Tambedou; Patrikejevs (Liit, 72), Musolitin (Nikolajiev, h-t), Kask, Siht; Mannilaan, Ivanov (Guilherme, 62). Referee: L Szikszay (Czechia).
