Latest news with #Futurist
Condé Nast Traveler
08-05-2025
- Condé Nast Traveler
A Pocket Guide to the World's Modernist Architecture
The below is an excerpt from the writer's new book, Modernist Travel Guide, which features nearly 400 of his favorite works of modernist architecture to visit in 30 cities around the world, from Antwerp and Buenos Aires to Sao Paulo and Stockholm, and was recently published by Sight Unseen. For more than 20 years, I have been fascinated by modernist design and architecture. In order to see and document unique examples of 20th-century architecture and design, I began traveling to these jewels of creativity, photographing them and sharing their histories both on my Instagram account, @okolo_architecture, as well as in magazines like Wallpaper, World of Interiors, and Prague-based Dolce Vita, where I've been an editor since 2009. Adam Štěch Instagram Adam Štěch is a Prague-based theorist, journalist, and curator in design, architecture, and the visual arts. He is the author of two books, Inside Utopia (Gestalten, 2017) and Modern Architecture and Interiors (Prestel, 2020). He has traveled to more than 50 countries to document thousands of examples of modernist architecture and design. At the time of writing, I've visited almost 50 countries on five continents to explore nearly 10,000 design landmarks—not only offices and houses, but also bars, cafés, galleries, museums, and hotels. My travels to experience these places brings me pure joy, which I hope to share with others through this pocket guide featuring 30 major global cities, each including 10–14 highlights to add to your future travel itineraries. Of course, as a journalist and historian, I was offered special access to many of the private interiors in this book. But even for locations that don't allow public entry—as noted throughout—it's a privilege simply to be able to stand in the street and admire a beautiful relic of 20th-century architecture, and it's my privilege to be able to guide you on these journeys. The Bottiglieria Bulloni in Milan features a ceramic mural by Futurist Enrico Prampolini. Bottiglieria Bulloni, Milan In 1933, Futurist designer Enrico Prampolini created original decorative lighting fixtures and a ceramic mural for the interior of Bottiglieria Bulloni, still visible in the small bar today. Via Lapari 2, Milan, Italy, public space Struckus House in Los Angeles is Bruce Goff's final built project. You may recognize the Sheats-Golstein Residence from its starring role in The Big Lebowski. Struckus House, Los Angeles With this house, designed for aeronautical engineer Al Struckus, the American master of organic architecture Bruce Goff left a powerful testament. His final built project, and his only private residence in California, is a playful but commanding union of space and form inside a cylindrical tower.
New York Times
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Book Review: ‘Atavists,' by Lydia Millet
ATAVISTS: Stories, by Lydia Millet Lydia Millet is a prolific writer who has won big accolades, and yet somehow I've never read her work. So there's no way for me to contextualize her latest collection of stories, 'Atavists,' and say the things reviewers often do about a book being a departure or the apotheosis of a lifetime spent perseverating on a theme. I can, however, acknowledge why Millet has been so praised: She knows how to put a story together. How to pace drama and consummate tension, when to turn up the volume and when to leave us alone with what she's put in motion. 'Motion' is a good word for how this collection of stories operates; it meanders through the lives of various characters who are related to or know one another, and the result is an ecosystem that satirizes left-wing culture in the aftermath of Covid. Most of these stories do not stand on their own — they aren't meant to — which puts a lot of pressure on their cumulative power to stir in readers both the dread and joy of being alive (this being, IMO, the bar that fiction needs to clear to be great). 'Atavists' succeeds on the dread, less so on the joy, which perhaps speaks to just how grim it feels to be a liberal in this country today. Not because we've lost power but because we've lost our way. In this collection, we liberals are mostly ridiculous, feckless, insipid and sometimes just sad. The title of the book suggests Millet is exploring character traits that are primordial (as in essential) or anachronistic (as in ill-fitting). Both interpretations seem viable for the 14 people we meet here, each one an 'ist' — the tourist, artist, cosmetologist, etc. — as they wrangle with first-world problems that belie a society in collapse and disarray. Consider the story 'Futurist,' in which an academic rightly accuses another of plagiarizing one line in a paper he wrote 12 years earlier. The accused retaliates by combing through the accuser's social media for transgressions: 'You had to play a trump card, in the culture wars. And in the current climate, that card was racism.' He finds an old post on which he could 'stake out a racism claim for sure,' though his effort results only in her posting a retroactive 'Content Warning.' Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? Log in. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Gulf Today
16-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
AI experts at ATM to explore new frontiers in travel market
The transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be under the spotlight at Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which takes place from 28th April to 1st May at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The international travel event will gather experts and thought leaders in AI from around the world to explore how AI is changing the landscape of leisure and business travel, streamlining operations and improving the customer journey. According to recent research by Statista, AI and machine learning have accounted for approximately two-thirds of global technology investment deals by travel and mobility companies since 2020. Across the travel industry, AI is being embraced at every level, from customers using AI-powered tools to plan their journeys to tourism providers leveraging AI to improve resource management and deliver more personalised guest services. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said, 'At ATM 2025, we are thrilled to announce an exciting lineup of visionary speakers. Attendees can expect engaging discussions that delve into the latest technological advancements, ethical considerations, and real-world applications. In addition, we will showcase groundbreaking developments across the exhibition, from sophisticated booking solutions to data analysis tools that empower organisations to make informed decisions. This is an unparalleled opportunity for travel industry professionals to be at the forefront of AI and gain actionable insights that can drive business success.' On the opening day of ATM, Cassie Kozyrkov, CEO of Kozyr and a globally renowned speaker in AI, will lead an insightful session on 'AI adoption: From Buzzwords to Business Strategy', where she will outline how companies in the travel industry can identify genuine opportunities to improve their businesses. Kozyrkov will delve into why organisations struggle, uncover the biggest threats in the field and discuss what AI means for the future. Elsewhere at ATM, Futurist and travel expert John Duffield will share fascinating insights on how AI and smart systems are reshaping the industry by enabling hyper-personalised experiences, seamless connectivity and innovations. During his presentation, Duffield will also discuss how travel providers can act now to prepare for these technologies, while addressing challenges such as data privacy and resistance to change. As technology continues to evolve, travel companies are identifying innovative ways to use human-centric technologies to connect with their customers. On 30 April, a panel of thought leaders, including Robin Lawther, VP Expedia TAAP, Expedia Group, will examine how the travel industry can use human-centric technology, addressing the ethical considerations surrounding AI, privacy and the importance of maintaining the human touch in an increasingly automated world. Dorothee Anjos, General Manager, Middle East at Multilem, will also touch on the importance of the human element in a thought-provoking discussion on the relationship between human connection and AI in the event's industry. During this session, she will explore how integrating both is revolutionising the planning, execution, and experience of events, as well as addressing the challenges posed by the rise of AI. On 30 April, Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports, will provide a comprehensive overview of what's next for aviation in the age of transformation and global disruption, touching on how AI, among several other factors, is reshaping the future of flight. The session will discuss the role of artificial intelligence in optimising operations, predictive maintenance and passenger experience. Finally, Graham Pope, Vice President, Sales Supplier and Venue Solutions at Cvent will host a session titled Future-proofing 2025: Trends, AI and shifts in business and MICE travel, exploring how business event organisers can measure the impact of their events using a blend of strategic planning, effective data collection and robust analysis, of which AI plays a key role. Held in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre, ATM 2025's strategic partners include Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Destination Partner; Emirates, Official Airline Partner; IHG Hotels & Resorts, Official Hotel Partner; and Al Rais Travel, Official DMC Partner. The international travel event will gather experts and thought leaders in AI from around the world to explore how AI is changing the landscape of leisure and business travel, streamlining operations and improving the customer journey. According to recent research by Statista, AI and machine learning have accounted for approximately two-thirds of global technology investment deals by travel and mobility companies since 2020. Across the travel industry, AI is being embraced at every level, from customers using AI-powered tools to plan their journeys to tourism providers leveraging AI to improve resource management and deliver more personalised guest services. WAM
Boston Globe
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
The Italian poet who is DOGE's unlikely muse
Angel investor and Silicon Valley power player Marc Andreessen has listed Marinetti among the patron saints of a school of thought Andreessen has branded 'techno-optimism.' Born in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1876, Marinetti was known in literary circles of the time as the 'caffeine of Europe.' In 1909, he published the Advertisement 'Literature exalted to this day thoughtful stillness, ecstasy, and sleep. We want to exalt aggressive movement, feverish sleeplessness, the running step, the somersault, the slap, and the punch,' Marinetti declared. Get The Gavel A weekly SCOTUS explainer newsletter by columnist Kimberly Atkins Stohr. Enter Email Sign Up Written in prophetic and apocalyptic tones, the manifesto posited that a new generation of young men — exclusively men, of course — 'nourished by fire, hatred, and speed' would give birth to a post-human civilization, finally free of old dogmas and institutions. The manifesto's closing line reads like a blend of beat poetry and a SpaceX ad: 'Standing on the top of the world, we hurl once more our challenge to the stars!' In his 2023 essay ' Elon Musk also shares some striking similarities with the late author of the Manifesto of Futurism. Both champion speed, disruption, and an almost messianic faith in technological progress. Marinetti glorified the roar of engines and the 'hygienic' power of war, while Musk dreams of Mars colonization and AI supremacy. Marinetti wrote experimental poetry that he called ' Advertisement Both figures blur the line between visionary and provocateur, and both saw strongman politics as the preferred way to bring about the change they envisioned. At one point, Marinetti even parted ways with Benito Mussolini because he thought the Fascist movement had lost its original revolutionary zeal. In recent decades, Futurist ideas have circulated widely in Silicon Valley, helping shape the ideological backbone of contemporary tech circles. Transhumanism (the idea that humanity is in need of a technological upgrade), the AI singularity, effective accelerationism, extropianism (the belief that aging and sickness are problems to be engineered out of existence), and other techno-utopian beliefs share something, implicitly or overtly, with the artistic and intellectual movement that redefined discourse in the years leading up to the two world wars. In their own ways, they all reinforce a narrative in which disruption is not just inevitable but desirable. Andreessen embodies this belief, along with figures like Peter Thiel, Silicon Valley's original Trump prophet, and White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks. Andreessen has been involved in major deals with Musk and helped him hire people for DOGE in the early stages of the presidential transition. Advertisement 'But it was when they threatened to do the same thing to AI that we realized we had to get involved in politics,' he said, arguing that government regulation is a force preventing the development of world-saving technologies. In contrast, Trump would allow the disruptive forces of technology to flow freely. Which brings us to Marinetti as the unlikely muse of DOGE. The Futurist poet idolized technological development but despised the constraining forces of the past. To build a new world, the old one couldn't simply be reformed or improved — it had to be dismantled and rebuilt from scratch according to new organizing principles. For Marinetti, the sanctuaries of the fossilized, backward-looking mainstream culture were museums and universities, institutions that safeguarded a decaying status quo. Futurism, instead, would impose its shocking message by dismantling traditions and ravaging the respectable manners of official culture. Similarly, DOGE is gutting the federal bureaucracy with futuristic zeal. Catchphrases like 'shock and awe,' 'flooding the zone,' and 'warp speed' have been used to describe the disruptive process of cutting costs, chasing fraud and waste, freezing entire agencies, and threatening to fire millions of federal employees. In Musk's view, these aren't simply government entities in need of reform — they are institutional structures that upheld the old order and must be dismantled and radically reconfigured. As economist Tyler Cowen has Advertisement From this perspective, public administration is where woke thinking has crystallized into entrenched institutional forms that persist even as governments change. Dismantling these mechanisms, then, becomes akin to surgery to remove a malignancy weakening the institutional framework of the United States. Like the Futurist intellectuals more than a century ago, the officials of this administration believe that destroying the rotten norms of the past is the only way to unleash the untamable forces of the future — forces supposedly long held back by corrupt elites and weak leaders. Marinetti wanted to tear down museums and libraries; Musk wants to reset the federal government. And with taxpayer-subsidized rockets, firing emails, and provocations on X, he hurls his own 'challenge to the stars.'
