Latest news with #RayBradbury
New York Times
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Libraries Pay More for E-Books. Some States Want to Change That.
It's hard to imagine a library that doesn't carry 'Fahrenheit 451.' But making Ray Bradbury's classic novel about book burning available to libraries in an e-book format can be its own little dystopian nightmare, according to Carmi Parker, a librarian with the Whatcom County Library System in northwest Washington. That's because library access to digital books and digital audiobooks — often collectively referred to as e-books — generally costs much more than the print version of these books. The Whatcom system must pay $51.99 to license a digital copy of 'Fahrenheit 451,' which can be checked out by one patron at a time, and which expires after two years. Other licensing agreements offered by major publishers expire after a set number of checkouts. Adding together the initial cost with time and checkout restrictions can make library e-book access as much as 10 times more expensive than print books. Parker said this is forcing some libraries to launch 'bake sales to pay for their e-book budgets.' The issue is causing tension in the book community. Librarians complain that publishers charge so much to license e-books that it's busting library budgets and frustrating efforts to provide equitable access to reading materials. Big publishers and many authors say that e-book library access undermines their already struggling business models. Smaller presses are split. But the problem is only getting worse as more people turn to their libraries for e-book access. Last year, the e-book library borrowing platform OverDrive reported that more than 739 million digital books, audiobooks and magazines were borrowed over its Libby and Sora apps, a 17 percent increase from the year before. The often bitter debate has lately moved from the library stacks and into state capitals. In May, the Connecticut legislature passed a law aimed at reining in the cost of library e-books, and other states have introduced similar legislation. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Times
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
The Times Saturday Quiz: June 21, 2025
1 The word 'cerebral' derives from the Latin word for which human organ? 2 According to the British Red Cross, which British woman was 'the first professional nurse'? 3 Which primary colour on the national flag of Chad represents the Sahara desert? 4 On a brown road sign in England and Wales, what does a sandcastle symbol indicate? 5 Which Scottish fizzy drink's official tartan, originally called the Barr tartan, was created in 1969 by Howe Design? 6 Which 1984-85 event is the subject of Guthrie Hutton's book Coal Not Dole? 7 The job name of farrier derives from the Latin word for which metal? 8 The comic strip cat Garfield is known to hate which weekday? 9 Who was Kenneth Clarke's successor as chancellor of the exchequer? 10 In 2021, which East Midlands city unveiled 30 ram sculptures as part of a public art trail? 11 Ray Bradbury expanded the novella The Fireman into which 1953 dystopian novel? 12 Like Clockwork (1978) was the first Top 10 hit for which Irish band? 13 Which US theoretical physicist was called a 'cry-baby scientist' by president Harry Truman? 14 Gary Owen wrote the 2015 play Iphigenia in … which district east of Cardiff city centre? 15 A lottery winner reunites the fictional folk duo McGwyer Mortimer in which 2025 British film? 16 Recife is the capital of which state in northeastern Brazil? 17 In 1780, which writer and composer became the first African in Britain to receive a newspaper obituary? 18 Which football official (1959-2025) was the Premier League's first black referee? 19 Which Italian motorcycle racer won the MotoGP title in 2022 and 2023? 20 Which Andrew Lloyd Webber musical is pictured? Scroll down for answers Answers 1 Brain 2 Florence Nightingale 3 Yellow 4 A beach 5 Irn-Bru 6 Miners' strike 7 Iron — ferrum in Latin 8 Monday 9 Gordon Brown 10 Derby 11 Fahrenheit 451 12 The Boomtown Rats 13 J Robert Oppenheimer 14 Splott 15 The Ballad of Wallis Island 16 Pernambuco 17 Ignatius Sancho 18 Uriah Rennie 19 Francesco Bagnaia 20 Evita
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
June 13-19, 2025 Sky Watch: Mars Meets Regulus, Saturn & Moon, Venus Shines
I was just thinking about Ray Bradbury - how he had this extraordinary gift for blending the fantastical with the deeply human. (Side note: If you're somehow unfamiliar with Bradbury, he's basically the literary giant who made science fiction respectable. You know Fahrenheit 451? The Martian Chronicles? That's our guy. He brought rocket ships and time machines into the realm of "serious literature" while the literary elite weren't looking, and by the time they noticed, it was too late - everyone was already in love with his work.) "We are an impossibility in an impossible universe," he once wrote. And doesn't that just hit you right in the existential sweet spot? Here we are, tiny specks on a spinning rock, somehow conscious enough to look up and wonder about it all. As we dive into this week's skywatching events, I keep coming back to this feeling - this profound appreciation for the mystery, the beauty, and yes, the privilege of witnessing the cosmos unfold above us. Whether you see it as divine creation or a marvel of nature, there's something utterly humbling about staring into the vast unknown. Stars are waiting - let's roll! There's something downright majestic about a nearly full moon hanging in the evening sky. At 97% illumination, our lunar neighbor is serving serious celestial drama on the 13th. While not technically full, this waning gibbous phase reveals crater details and highland regions that are often washed out during the full phase. Why should you care? Because this is the moon showing off its best features! Think of it as the lunar equivalent of perfect golden-hour lighting - all those crater shadows create a stunning three-dimensional effect. Time: Just after sunset until early morning Direction: Rising in the eastern sky Pro Tip: Those shadows along the terminator (the line between light and dark) make for absolutely stunning viewing through even modest binoculars. If you've never done a serious moon-gaze, now's your moment. Speaking of June 13th, here's a little cosmic perspective for you: On this day in 1983, Pioneer 10 quietly crossed Neptune's orbit, becoming the first human-made object to venture so far. Talk about a cosmic milestone! Launched back in 1972 with a modest 21-month mission plan, this overachiever kept communicating with Earth for over three decades - its last "hello" reaching us in 2003. Pioneer 10 is still traveling outward today, over 20.5 billion kilometers from Earth. It's just one of five spacecraft (along with Pioneer 11, Voyagers 1 & 2, and New Horizons) on trajectories that will eventually carry them into interstellar space. Our little mechanical emissaries to the stars, wandering eternally among them. Now this is celestial chemistry at its finest. Mars and Regulus, the brightest star in Leo, will perform an elegant cosmic dance just 0.8 degrees apart - that's less than the width of your pinky finger held at arm's length. Why should you care? It's a stunning color contrast - Mars with its distinctive rusty-copper glow and Regulus shining brilliant white-blue. The pair creates a visual treat that's both scientifically fascinating and aesthetically gorgeous. Time: After sunset for several hours Direction: Western sky in the Leo constellation If you're willing to sacrifice some sleep, you're in for a real celestial treat as the third-quarter Moon cozies up to ringed Saturn in the pre-dawn sky on the 19th. Their proximity in Aquarius creates one of those "wow" moments that makes even casual skywatchers reach for their phones to snap a picture. Time: Around 1:30 a.m. local time Direction: Eastern sky What you'll see: Third-quarter moon positioned near Saturn Pro Tip: A telescope will reveal Saturn's rings, which are currently tilted at an angle that offers a spectacular view. Set your alarm - this one's worth the early wake-up call. Venus is absolutely showing off right now as the "Morning Star," rising about two hours before the sun and outshining literally everything else in the pre-dawn sky. If you're an early riser (or haven't gone to bed yet - I don't judge), you simply can't miss it. Time: 2-3 hours before sunrise Direction: Eastern horizon Pro Tip: Venus is so bright that you can often spot it in twilight before other stars become visible. Use it as your anchor point to orient yourself to the morning sky. Leo is having quite the moment this week with the Mars-Regulus conjunction. This majestic constellation is one of the few that actually resembles what it's supposed to be—a lion, complete with the distinctive "sickle" forming the lion's mane and head. Finding Leo is easy: look for the backward question mark (the sickle) with Regulus as the dot at the bottom. The bright triangle of stars to the east forms the lion's hindquarters. And this week, with Mars visiting Regulus, you get an extra beacon guiding you right to it. While the planets and moon tend to steal the spotlight, this week also offers prime viewing for several magnificent deep-sky objects: The Milky Way Core: Late night observers get a special treat as our galaxy's center rises, revealing a dense band of stars, dust, and gas that creates one of the most breathtaking sights in astronomy. You'll need dark skies away from city lights, but it's absolutely worth the drive. M13 Hercules Globular Cluster: High overhead in the evening, this ancient ball of thousands of stars looks like a fuzzy cotton ball to the naked eye, but explodes into a dazzling sphere through even modest telescopes. Beehive Cluster (M44): This open star cluster in Cancer is visible after sunset and looks spectacular through binoculars. The universe is putting on quite the performance - all you need to do is look up. And remember, every time you gaze at these celestial wonders, you're participating in the same activity that has captivated humans for thousands of years. There's something profoundly connecting about that, don't you think? NASA Astronaut Shoots Breathtaking Aurora From Space Strawberry Moon Stunner: Full Moon Views Around The Globe Astronaut Marvels At Lightning From Space
Chicago Tribune
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Murals continue to pop up around Waukegan; ‘Another step in the cultural landscape of our downtown'
Raised in Waukegan, Burke Morrell remembers walking from Cooke Magnet Elementary School to the Waukegan Public Library on field trips. He first learned how to use a computer there, got books and it became an important part of his life. Now a professional artist living in Arizona., Morrell got the opportunity to return to his hometown and paint a mural on the west wall of the library. It depicts the value of the institution, piping plovers at the lakefront and another native who honed a thirst for reading there, Ray Bradbury. 'I wanted to show the peaceful, relaxing beach,' he said. 'It shows the girl lying there with books. I added dandelions as a tribute to Ray Bradbury,' he added, referring to the Waukegan-born author who read extensively at the library. Morrell is one of four artists completing murals in downtown Waukegan. The others are Stacy Wilcox, whose art is on City Hall; Everett Reynolds with work displayed at the Puerto Rican Society building; and Janson Rapisarda decorating the intersection of Lake and Genesee streets. City and library officials say the murals further demonstrate the city's effort to draw people to the downtown and lakefront areas. Rachel Cantin, a planner with the city overseeing the mural project, said the money comes from a $1 million grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for communities like Waukegan transitioning from the loss of a coal plant. Cantin said approximately $400,000 is allocated for public art, including the four latest murals, a number previously done throughout town and a few more projects to come in the future. The remaining $600,000 is being spent on lead pipe replacement. 'It helps support our arts community and brings visitors to the downtown area,' Cantin said. Art in downtown Waukegan is nothing new. Mayor Sam Cunningham said it is part of a longstanding tradition that also fits with his vision of rebuilding the city, particularly downtown and the lakefront. 'When we say we're an art and entertainment center, it goes back to when it started with Jack Benny and Ray Bradbury,' Cunningham said. 'This is another step in the cultural landscape of our downtown. We want to live up to that as we rebuild Waukegan.' With the completion of Morrell's mural, the library's exterior is now awash with murals. In November, the library unveiled murals by Gaby Escovar near the front entrance and the north side, which the artist dubbed 'a love letter to Waukegan.' Tiffany Verzani, the library's executive director, said the decoration of the exterior with murals containing messages about the community complements the message of the library. It shows inclusion and the faces of the city. 'We are very excited,' Verzani said. 'I love the dandelions for Ray Bradbury. The new mural brings us full circle, showing the programs at the library. The art gives a message of what is happening on the inside. We display art at the library.' When Morrell learned from his aunt, who lives in Waukegan, that the city was seeking mural artists, she sent him the information. He said he completed the city's application form and was awarded the commission. Cantin liked how well he followed his proposal. 'It was almost exactly what he proposed,' Cantin said. 'It really showed what Waukegan is about.' On the wall opposite the main entrance to City Hall, Wilcox's mural spells out Waukegan in large, bold letters surrounded by a palette of bright colors. Cantin, who works in the building daily, said, 'It was fun to see it come together.' Wilcox, a Lake County native who lives in North Chicago, said she, too, responded to the city's call for artists. She spends a lot of time in Waukegan, and had a good idea of what she wanted to portray. 'It was designed to celebrate Waukegan,' Wilcox said. 'I wanted to make it bright, colorful and vibrant. I wanted to show the colors of Lake Michigan, and the harbor and Waukegan's rich history. Its strength is in its diversity and the rich culture we have.' On the south wall of the Puerto Rican Society on Sheridan Road, just north of Belvidere Road, Cantin said the mural shows the history of the building as a one-time lighthouse. There is also a large Puerto Rican flag. Reynolds' work is not new to Waukegan. Cantin said his murals adorn the exteriors of Super Mercado Gonzalez on Grand Avenue, Oakdale Elementary School and other buildings around the city. Rapisarda is a Milwaukee artist commissioned to paint a mural covering the entire intersection of Lake and Genesee streets. Cantin said its 'bright colorful palette' is a work of abstract art, getting people's attention at the south end of downtown.
Int'l Business Times
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Int'l Business Times
Journalist Caught Using AI After Publishing Summer Reading List Full of Made Up Books
A Chicago-based freelance journalist was caught using AI after two prominent newspapers published a summer reading list filled with mostly made-up titles and summaries. The Chicago Sun-Times and Philadelphia Inquirer published an AI-generated "Summer Reading List for 2025" this month, syndicated by King Features Syndicate, a Hearst Corporation company, according to reporting by 404 Media. Of the list's 15 book recommendations, just five exist, including "Dandelion Wine" by Ray Bradbury. Some of the made-up titles, credited to real writers, included "Tidewater Dreams" by prominent Chilean-American author Isabel Allende, "The Rainmakers" by Pulitzer-prize winning author Percival Everett, and "The Last Algorithm" by "The Martian" novelist Andy Weir. Ironically, "The Last Algorithm" is a real book available on Amazon, but, according to the book's sole review, it is also "AI created garbage." Freelance journalist Marco Buscaglia, who was hired to create a 64-page section, titled "Heat Index: Your Guide to the Best of Summer" for the syndicate company, took full responsibility for the list making it into the major newspapers. "Stupidly, and 100% on me, I just kind of republished this list that [an AI program] spit out," Buscaglia told the Sun-Times. "Usually, it's something I wouldn't do." "I mean, even if I'm not writing something, I'm at least making sure that I correctly source it and vet it and make sure it's all legitimate. And I definitely failed in that task," he continued. King Features wrote in a statement that Buscaglia violated a "strict policy" against using AI. As a result, it terminated its relationship with the freelance journalist. "We regret this incident and are working with the handful of publishing partners who acquired this supplement," a spokesman for King Features added, according to the Sun-Times. Originally published on Latin Times
