Technology

Severance’s first season is a wonderfully tense workplace horror story

Published

2 years ago

April 8, 2022

Within the age of binge-watching and tv seasons that drop unexpectedly, Severance feels distinctive: it’s a present you undoubtedly don’t wish to watch in a single go. Regardless of the veneer of a banal office drama, Severance is an extremely tense sci-fi horror collection the place that pressure solely builds over the course of the present’s 9 episodes. Every new chapter is an opportunity to see one thing extra tousled and uncover the darkish depths that the capitalist machine is keen to sink to. You’re going to need some area in between to let all of it soak in and possibly catch your breath somewhat.

This text comprises spoilers for the primary season of Severance.

Severance begins out pretty slowly. The present facilities on a comparatively new process known as, naturally, severance, which splits a employee’s mind in two. This enables individuals to primarily skip work for eight hours a day and give attention to their outdoors life. The work self, in the meantime (the 2 are colloquially known as “innies” and “outies”), is caught in a life that’s nothing however work. Their total lives are contained within the workplace. The know-how permits reminiscences to be spatially dictated. Your life and reminiscences are yours proper up till you hop within the elevator at Lumon Industries and go right down to the severed ground and get to work. From that time, your time and reminiscences belong to your innie — and to Lumon.

We’re launched to the idea by way of Mark (Adam Scott). On the surface, Mark is grieving the lack of his spouse, and he signed as much as be severed in hopes of avoiding these emotions for at the least some a part of the day. On the within, he’s the chipper division head of the Macrodata Refinement division at Lumon, the place he and three different staff – Dylan (Zach Cherry), Helly (Britt Decrease), and Irving (John Turturro) – spend all day lengthy doing… one thing. It’s by no means truly clear what their job is, although they’re reassured the work is mysterious and essential. It principally entails discovering “scary” numbers on a bewildering grid.

Initially, it’s straightforward to see the enchantment of severing. Work sucks. Who wouldn’t wish to minimize that drudgery out of their lives and give attention to the nice elements? Nevertheless it rapidly turns into clear simply how untenable the answer is. For the innies, it’s an precise nightmare. Their lives exist solely throughout the dreary partitions of Lumon’s basement. After they go away work, their subsequent reminiscence is of arriving the subsequent day. They really feel the results of sleep, however they by no means expertise it themselves. Issues get so bleak that gathering workplace trinkets like Lumon-branded finger traps turns into an precise incentive. At one level, a contraband e-book of New Age philosophical gibberish makes its manner into the division, and the refiners deal with it like crucial piece of literature ever written. In spite of everything, when the one factor you’ve ever learn is an worker handbook, something would look good by comparability.

Picture: Apple

The sense of discomfort — and, ultimately, outright terror — grows because the present progresses, and also you study extra about Lumon and what life is like within the basement. The corporate itself is a bit like if Amazon was run by scientologists, solely much more evil. We’re instructed that it’s a pharmaceutical firm with its fingers in numerous completely different industries, and far of the employees — at the least these we see, together with Mark’s boss, performed with a terrifying depth by Patricia Arquette — worship its founder like a non secular determine, proper right down to the fixed repetition of dogma. Within the Optics and Design division, you could find, amongst different disturbing Romantic era-style work of inter-departmental wars, a model of “Wanderer above the Sea of Fog” that includes Lumon founder Kier Eagen staring out into the good unknown.

Severance thrives on thriller. Like Misplaced and Yellowjackets, it’s a present that likes to toss inexplicable curveballs at viewers which can be generally defined, generally not. In Severance, these unusual twists are sometimes the explanation for the steadily creeping sense of dread. A few of this comes right down to the way in which the present appears to be like: the severed ground is like one thing out of a parallel dimension. It’s virtually like a cubicle farm ripped out of the ‘60s, however with unusual retrofuturistic computer systems, twisting hallways designed for max confusion, and a break room that doubles as a psychological torture chamber. Oh, and there’s a room stuffed with child goats. It’s the form of present the place a celebratory waffle social gathering inevitably devolves into one thing weird and uncomfortable.

This sense of thriller is amplified by the twin nature of the severed characters. Every actor is actually enjoying two completely different individuals, they usually have conflicting needs and, by nature of their surgically-altered brains, they solely know half of the story. Outie Mark has no concept what actually goes on in the course of the hours he’s on the workplace, and innie Mark is aware of actually nothing in regards to the outdoors world and the impression that widespread adoption of severance might have. You could be confused whereas watching, however the characters within the present have issues a lot, a lot worse. I also needs to word that Severance’s creators have a transparent love of clever cliffhangers of the “Not Penny’s boat” selection. This extends to the finale, which, whereas answering some essential questions and providing some explosive revelations, additionally leaves rather a lot to be uncovered in Severance’s lately confirmed second season. You could shout at your display screen when the credit kick in.

Put all of it collectively, and you’ve got a present that paints the darkest doable portrait of how megacorporations take into consideration and deal with their staff. We’ve all seen the tales of what tech giants attempt to get away with in the true world; Severance posits a future the place they will do actually something in secret as a result of staff have knowingly signed as much as be lab rats. If issues go Lumon’s manner, nobody will ever know in regards to the goats or the break room. That pressure and terror are value it, although. The primary season of Severance is worrying, but it surely’s additionally much more enjoyable than a Lumon-allocated Music Dance Expertise.

The primary season of Severance is streaming now on Apple TV Plus.

Technology

Threads hits 175 million users after a year

Published

1 hour ago

July 3, 2024

Press Room

Threads hits 175 million users after a year

A year and a half ago, Threads was but a twinkle in Mark Zuckerberg’s eye.

Now, the rival to Elon Musk’s X has reached more than 175 million monthly active users, the Meta CEO announced on Wednesday.

As with any social network, and especially for Threads, monthly users only tell part of the growth story. It’s telling that, unlike Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, Meta hasn’t shared daily user numbers yet. That omission suggests Threads is still getting a lot of flyby traffic from people who have yet to become regular users.

I’ve heard from Meta employees in recent months that much of the app’s growth is still coming from it being promoted inside Instagram. Both apps share the same account system, which isn’t expected to change.

Even still, 175 million monthly users for a one-year app is nothing to turn your nose up at, especially given Meta’s spotty track record of launching standalone app experiments over the years. Zuckerberg has been open to me and others that he thinks Threads has a real shot at being the company’s next billion-user app. To keep the growth story going, I’m told, Meta is focused on markets where it thinks there’s an opening to take more market share from X — Japan, for example.

For now, Threads is still a loss leader for Meta financially, though it can certainly afford to fund it indefinitely. Internally, I’m told execs are thinking about turning on ads in Threads sometime next year, though the exact plan is still up in the air. It’s easy to see how Threads could plug into Instagram’s existing ads system. And given Meta’s intentional decision to deprioritize politics and encourage lighthearted content, it could be a compelling place for advertisers looking for a more brand-safe alternative to X.

“It would be great if it gets really, really big, but I’m actually more interested in if it becomes culturally relevant and if it gets hundreds of millions of users,” the head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, told me when Threads first launched. A year later, the app definitely has more progress to make on the cultural front. But the fact that it’s still growing means Meta has the runway to make that happen.

Technology

A designer's wild 'wind turbine wall' idea is actually becoming reality

Published

2 hours ago

July 3, 2024

Press Room

A designer's wild 'wind turbine wall' idea is actually becoming reality

You may have seen renderings of an eye-catching wall covered in vertical wind turbines making the rounds online. That bold concept is finally spinning into reality with a product called Airiva from designer Joe Doucet.

The initial vision was ambitious: a mesmerizing array of 25 vertical-axis turbines each connected to a generator for a combined peak output of 10 kilowatts.

While that’s an attractive figure on paper, the intermittent nature of wind means actual daily energy production could be significantly lower.

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Wind turbine wall (Airiva)

Years of refinement and testing

But Doucet didn’t just run with that initial concept. Over the past few years, his team has tweaked and tested 16 different blade configurations before settling on a helical design. They’ve refined Airiva into a modular system made up of sizable turbine units.

Each unit houses eight turbines and is expected to produce around 2,200 kWh annually. Not a massive amount on its own, but it’s enough to put a dent in domestic energy bills. In fact, an average U.S. home would need around five units to meet all its electricity needs, though that’s quite a large footprint.

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Wind turbine wall (Airiva)

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Targeting urban infrastructure

While residential is a potential market, Airiva seems aimed more at urban infrastructure projects. Multiple units could line highways, span bridges or be installed at company campuses, airports, harbors and transport hubs.

“Airiva integrates within the architecture and infrastructure of our urban and suburban landscapes to bring clean energy closer to where we live and work,” Doucet said on the company’s website.

Wind turbine wall (Airiva)

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Sustainable, smart and competitive

Beyond its unique design, Airiva touts five impressive eco-friendly and technological credentials:

1. At least 80% recycled materials in manufacturing

2. Modular and scalable for diverse installation needs

3. Compatible with other distributed energy systems

4. Remote monitoring for smart control

5. Competitive energy costs compared to similar solutions

The company is still prototyping but plans customer pilots in late 2024 before opening orders in 2025. The upcoming tests will reveal if Airiva’s performance and pricing can live up to its bold promises.

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Wind turbine wall (Airiva)

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Powering the future: Sustainable tech solutions for today’s home

Innovations similar to Joe Doucet’s Airiva are making waves in the realm of residential energy efficiency. Here are some technologies that are also being used to reduce domestic energy bills:

1. Solar panels: Rooftop solar panels are a popular choice for homeowners looking to harness renewable energy. They can significantly reduce electricity bills and even generate excess power that can be sold back to the grid.

2. Smart home devices: Smart thermostats, lighting systems and appliances can optimize energy use, leading to lower energy consumption and costs.

3. Ultra-efficient heat pumps: Next-generation heat pumps can warm and cool homes more efficiently than traditional systems, reducing primary energy consumption by up to 30%.

4. Energy-efficient windows: Advanced window controls and materials can minimize heat loss during winter and reduce heat gain during summer, improving overall energy efficiency.

5. Reflective roofing materials: These materials can reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat, leading to lower cooling costs.

6. LED lighting: LED bulbs use up to 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times longer. They also produce less heat, which can help keep your home cooler in the summer. By replacing the most-used bulbs in your home with LEDs, you can save about $75 per year.

Also, consider using smart light bulbs, which are LED light bulbs that connect to the internet through Wi-Fi or a hub. When connected to the internet, you can control when, how long, how often and how brightly (and even what color) your bulb shines from the comfort of your cellphone, tablet, smartwatch or voice assistant. Smart light bulbs use at least 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Be sure to check out my top smart bulb picks here.

7. Geothermal systems: Geothermal heat pumps use the stable temperature of the ground to provide heating, cooling and hot water at high efficiencies.

8. Wind turbines: Residential wind turbines can be installed on properties to generate electricity, though they require a suitable location with enough wind.

9. Hydropower systems: Microhydropower systems can be a viable option for homes near flowing water, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity.

These technologies, along with Airiva’s wind turbines, represent a growing trend towards greener, more sustainable living. They not only help in reducing energy bills but also contribute to a lower carbon footprint, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

As we look towards the future, it’s clear that a combination of these technologies will be necessary to meet our energy needs in a sustainable way. From the integration of wind turbines into urban landscapes, as seen with Airiva, to the adoption of smart home technologies and the continued improvement of solar power systems, each innovation brings us closer to a more energy-efficient world. The walls that once stood as mere structures are increasingly becoming canvases for sustainable energy production, transforming the way we live and work.

What are your thoughts on the future of domestic energy production and the role of technologies like Airiva in reducing our carbon footprint? 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

DJI expands into e-bikes and drive systems

Published

8 hours ago

July 3, 2024

Press Room

DJI expands into e-bikes and drive systems

DJI is expanding into electric bikes in a big way with its new Avinox drive system and Amflow e-bike brand. The company best known for its drones is launching its first e-bike — the carbon fiber Amflow PL electric mountain bike — before the end of the year, complete with the mid-drive Avinox motor and fast-charging battery. It has so many smart and powerful features packed into a relatively lightweight e-bike that it should catch the attention of competitors like Bosch and Specialized.

As a showcase for DJI’s new Avinox drive system, the Amflow PL e-bike features a very impressive 120Nm of max torque and 1000W of on-demand boost power to overcome even the steepest inclines. Otherwise, its “remarkably quiet” mid-drive motor is rated for 250W of nominal output with an 850W peak. Its removable 800Wh battery can fast-charge from zero to 75 percent in a speedy 1.5 hours when using Amflow’s 2A/508W GaN charger.

Despite all that power and battery capacity, the Amflow PL weighs just 19.2kg (just over 42 pounds), thanks in part to a 2.27kg carbon fiber frame and 2.52kg Avinox drive system.

The bike features a two-inch color OLED touchscreen display integrated into the frame and an Avinox app for wireless access to the bike and all the riding data. The bike will sound an alarm in case of trouble and alert you of its location in the app. It has four pedal-assist modes, including an auto mode that adapts power delivery based on riding resistance. Rounding out the highlights is a USB charging port for your phone or bike computer, a full suspension system from Fox, and a frame that can accommodate both 27.5-inch and 29-inch rear wheels.

“Our expertise in battery and motor technology accumulated in drones and camera stabilization systems, have led us to the creation of Avinox,” says Christina Zhang, senior director of corporate strategy at DJI. “It is a natural move for DJI to expand into this field as we have been mastering the technologies essential to an electric bike system, in terms of reliable motor development, battery management, mechanical design and engineering.”

The company has also been developing intelligent driving solutions for automobiles in China over the last few years, some of which can already be found in several car models. More recently, the company expanded into the large consumer battery market with the launch of its first power stations.

The Amflow PL is expected to ship in Q4. DJI tells me to expect a pricing somewhere between €7,000 and €12,000 ($7,500 and $12,850), which puts it into direct competition with premium electric sport bikes like Specialized’s Turbo series. DJI says the Amflow PL will be available from authorized dealers in Germany, the UK, and Australia “amongst others.”