Technology

Disney CEO apologizes for silence on “Don’t Say Gay” bill

Published

3 years ago

March 11, 2022

Disney CEO apologizes for silence on “Don’t Say Gay” bill

Dealing with a tidal wave of backlash following Disney’s failure to talk out in opposition to Florida’s “Don’t Say Homosexual” invoice, Disney CEO Bob Chapek formally apologized to staff right this moment for the corporate’s failure to help its queer group.

In an inside memo, Chapek addressed widespread criticism of Disney’s witting silence in response to the “Don’t Say Homosexual” invoice handed not too long ago by Florida’s Senate. The message was addressed to all Disney staff, “however particularly our LGBTQ+ group.”

“Thanks to all who’ve reached out to me sharing your ache, frustration and disappointment over the corporate’s response to the Florida ‘Don’t Say Homosexual’ invoice,” Chapek wrote. “Talking to you, studying your messages, and assembly with you may have helped me higher perceive how painful our silence was. It’s clear that this isn’t simply a problem a couple of invoice in Florida, however as an alternative yet one more problem to primary human rights. You wanted me to be a stronger ally within the battle for equal rights and I allow you to down. I’m sorry.”

The apology follows a chaotic week for the pinnacle of Disney, who beforehand instructed staff that Disney wouldn’t reply to the invoice publicly regardless of working an enormous enterprise empire within the state. The Parental Rights in Training, because it’s formally named, prohibits educators from discussing “sexual orientation or gender id” with college students at sure grade ranges and would permit dad and mom to carry authorized motion in opposition to faculty districts whose educators tackle them.

Earlier this week, Chapek had written staff that “company statements do little or no to vary outcomes or minds,” including that “one of the simplest ways for our firm to result in lasting change is thru the inspiring content material we produce, the welcoming tradition we create, and the various group organizations we help.” The declare that Disney helps the group with its storytelling was shortly shot down by critics and staff who identified that Disney censors queer illustration in its movies and collection, notably in Pixar productions.

The fallout from Chapek’s preliminary response was swift, with the corporate going through criticism that it had failed not solely the LGBTQ+ group however particularly its staff and households in Florida who could also be straight impacted by the invoice.

In a memo despatched to Disney’s management earlier than the invoice handed Florida’s Senate, Disney staff had requested that the corporate take a stand in opposition to the “Don’t Say Homosexual” invoice and anti-LBGTQ+ payments in different states. As considered one of Florida’s largest employers, they wrote, and “one at present relocating much more staff to the state, it’s the Firm’s utmost accountability to guard these people.” The memo was obtained and revealed by Selection yesterday.

In his apology to staff right this moment, Chapek wrote that the corporate will improve its help for teams working to fight related laws in different states. Disney can be pausing all political donations in Florida whereas the corporate creates “a brand new framework for our political giving that may guarantee our advocacy higher displays our values.” Many critics of Disney’s response to the “Don’t Say Homosexual” invoice had been fast to level to the corporate’s monetary contributions to legislators who championed the invoice.

Learn Chapek’s full memo beneath:

To my fellow colleagues, however particularly our LGBTQ+ group,
Thanks to all who’ve reached out to me sharing your ache, frustration and disappointment over the corporate’s response to the Florida “Don’t Say Homosexual” invoice. Talking to you, studying your messages, and assembly with you may have helped me higher perceive how painful our silence was. It’s clear that this isn’t simply a problem a couple of invoice in Florida, however as an alternative yet one more problem to primary human rights. You wanted me to be a stronger ally within the battle for equal rights and I allow you to down. I’m sorry.
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Our staff see the facility of this nice firm as a possibility to do good. I agree. Sure, we have to use our affect to advertise that good by telling inclusive tales, but additionally by standing up for the rights of all.
Beginning instantly, we’re rising our help for advocacy teams to fight related laws in different states. We’re arduous at work creating a brand new framework for our political giving that may guarantee our advocacy higher displays our values. And right this moment, we’re pausing all political donations within the state of Florida pending this evaluate. However, I do know there may be a lot extra work to be carried out. I’m dedicated to this work and to you all, and can proceed to interact with the LGBTQ+ group in order that I can grow to be a greater ally. You’ll hear extra about our progress within the coming weeks.
I actually consider we’re an infinitely higher and stronger firm due to our LGBTQ+ group. I missed the mark on this case however am an ally you’ll be able to rely on—and I will probably be an outspoken champion for the protections, visibility, and alternative you deserve.

Technology

This wildfire evacuation alert accidentally went out to everyone in LA

Published

5 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

This wildfire evacuation alert accidentally went out to everyone in LA

After two days of dealing with wildfires that have burned thousands of acres, residents across Los Angeles County received a wildfire evacuation alert on Thursday afternoon that was a mistake. Shortly after, officials sent a follow-up alert saying that the notice was intended only for people near the Kenneth Fire in Woodland Hills.

Los Angeles County shared a message on X explaining what happened: “An evacuation order for residents near the Kenneth Fire currently burning in West Hills was mistakenly issued Countywide. This alert was only intended for residents of Calabasas and Agoura Hills.”

CBS News quotes a local official who said that the alert, which included a broken URL, was sent “due to a technical error.”

This is the alert to disregard the other evacuation warning.

Image: The Verge

Many wildfires are burning in the LA area, and officials have confirmed at least six deaths, CNN reports. LA County has a population of nearly 10 million people, which is the “largest population of any county in the nation,” according to the county’s website.

Technology

Solar device transforms used tires to help purify water so that it's drinkable

Published

5 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Solar device transforms used tires to help purify water so that it's drinkable

Imagine a world where clean drinking water is readily available even in the most remote areas.

This vision is becoming a reality thanks to innovative research from scientists in Canada.

A team of scientists at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, has developed a groundbreaking device that could revolutionize water desalination, offering hope to millions facing water scarcity worldwide.

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Floating solar still process (Dalhousie University)

The power of plasmonic solar stills

At the heart of this innovation is a floating solar still, a device that harnesses the sun’s energy to purify seawater.

Dr. Mita Dasog, an associate professor of chemistry and Killam Memorial chair at Dalhousie, explains the science behind it: “Refractory plasmonic nanomaterials are very good at capturing light and converting that light into heat.”

This principle forms the foundation of their ingenious design. The solar still, conceptualized by Dr. Matthew Margeson during his Ph.D. studies, addresses challenges that have long plagued similar devices. It minimizes thermal losses, prevents salt buildup and can withstand harsh maritime conditions.

Researcher pictured next to floating solar still (Matthew J. Margeson)

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How it works

The floating solar still operates through an elegantly simple yet highly effective process. First, ocean water is drawn up to the device’s foam surface through a wicking system. Once the water reaches the surface, it is evaporated by solar-heated plasmonic materials. As the water vapor rises, the salt is left behind, ensuring that only purified water is collected. The vapor then recondenses on a clear plastic dome situated above the device. Finally, the purified water is funneled down the sides of the dome and collected in a sealed bag for easy access.

The results of this process are impressive. In real-world tests conducted in Halifax Harbour, the device produced up to 0.97 gallons of clean water daily, which was a record-breaking yield for passive floating solar stills.

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Floating solar still process (Dalhousie University)

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Upcycling for sustainability

What sets this device apart is its use of unconventional materials. Instead of relying on expensive precious metals, the team turned to an unlikely source: used tires. Through a process called pyrolysis, carbon waste from tires is transformed into a crucial component of the desalination unit.

Dr. Dasog emphasizes the importance of accessibility: “We shouldn’t be making an expensive or very complicated device. It has to be easy to manufacture, last for a long time and be easy to take apart and move.” This approach not only makes the technology more affordable but also addresses the environmental issue of tire waste.

Floating solar still process (Dalhousie University)

THE SHAPE-SHIFTING UNDERWATER ROBOT PIONEERING THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA

Affordable water purification and energy generation in one device

The device’s capabilities extend beyond water purification. It can simultaneously desalinate, disinfect and decontaminate water at a remarkably low cost: less than one cent per liter. It can also generate a small amount of thermoelectricity, potentially powering onboard water quality sensors.

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Looking ahead

The team’s next step is to conduct further testing in South Asia, with the ultimate goal of making the device available worldwide. Dasog, nominated for the Emerging Leader award at the Water Canada Summit, envisions the device as a lifeline for communities displaced by war or climate change.

Kurt’s key takeaways

As we tackle the growing challenges of water security, innovations like the plasmonic solar still shine a light of hope. By blending cutting-edge science with sustainable materials, the researchers at Dalhousie University are doing more than just purifying water; they’re paving the way for a future that is both equitable and resourceful. This device not only makes clean drinking water accessible but also highlights how we can use renewable energy sources to address pressing global issues.

If the sun could power one solution to improve human life, what would you want it to be? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

X launches Grok’s iPhone app in the US

Published

13 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

xAI has released an iOS app in the US for its Grok chatbot, as spotted earlier by TechCrunch. The standalone app version of the chatbot, which xAI calls a beta, can perform the same functions as the one built into X, as it can field real-time information, answer questions, and generate images.

xAI started testing Grok’s standalone iOS app in December in a handful of countries. There’s no word on when it may come to Android.

Though Grok was initially only available to X Premium subscribers, the platform started letting all users access the chatbot last month, bringing it in line with other free-to-use chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot.

As pointed out by TechCrunch, it seems xAI is also working on a dedicated Grok.com website that currently has a “coming soon” message on it. After raising $6 billion in June, xAI reported another $6 billion funding round, including from “strategic investors” like Nvidia and AMD.