#intelligence features

[martin-james2121]

Apple Unveils Third Beta of iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2: What’s New?

MacRumors reports that the key updates in this beta include improvement to the video player in the Photos app, a customizable navigation bar in the TV app on iPadOS, and additional control options for the Camera Control button, bringing new functionality to the latest iPhone models. 

Here’s a quick overview of everything Apple is testing in the iOS 18.2 beta –

iOS 18.2 Features

Photos App Update – While iOS 18 introduced a major redesign to the Photos app, some users found the initial changes not ideal. Responding to this feedback, the third beta of iOS 18.2 includes an upgrade to the Photos app, expanding the video player and minimizing the thick borders that previously framed videos.

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[trans-yllz]

perhaps my hottest take yet but there's this very interesting phenomenon within fanworks, especially modern aus, where people make lan wangji like. The Crazy Smart Bookish Nerd, when in canon his Thing, his character archetype, isn't even that he's smart or clever. that's wei wuxians thing. HE'S the genius. and lan wangji obviously isn't an idiot, wangxians whole dynamic is that they're equally matched, but the narrative puts weight on wei wuxians intelligence where it does not with lan wangjis. lan wangjis thing Is being noble, and it Is valuing tradition, and it Is being talented, and, in the beginning, it Is following the rules. he's a good student as a child and an incredibly skilled cultivator, but the role his character plays in terms of trope is not one that focuses on his intellect, even when the story makes it clear that hes very smart. and the thing is that him being a rule follower in the cloud recesses arc Does make him a good student, and the story successfully communicates that he Is smart, but the focus is on him being a competent cultivator who is "good at school", the point is the way that working within the systems rules leads to success, Not that he's smart

but wei wuxians role in a strictly narrative context Does hinge on him being incredibly clever and intelligent, it's a key part of his character archetype, and there is a point being made about the fact that, even when he's a troublemaker in class and labeled as a bad student, he's very intelligent. it's one of the many things that frustrates but draws lan wangji to him in the first place. but somehow more often than not fanon depicts wei wuxian as a fumbling idiot. and I just think it's very interesting that rule following and "good behavior" gets associated with intelligence, where rebellion and disregard for social expectations is associated with being foolish or ignorant, when the narrative of the source material is communicating almost the opposite idea

[bigquestionmark]

a lot of people act like xie lian was entirely unaware/ignorant to the power imbalance in his and mu qings relationship when he was probably the most empathetic and understanding towards mu qing. for example, he defends mqs behaviour to fx multiple times because he understands what causes it.

i think he just believed their friendship overcame this power imbalance (which was easier for him to do because he wasnt negatively impacted by it unlike mu qing).

whereas, despite how deeply he cared for xl, mq couldnt overlook it because he was literally xls servant and was faced with this power imbalance everyday.

xl saw mq as his friend first, however mq believed he was viewed primarily as a servant

[sandwichsapphic]

every time i try to start an essay my brain stops and i make one of these instead

[tenth-sentence]

But no sooner had he made it clear to himself and his friends that she hardly had a good feature in her face, than he began to find it was rendered uncommonly intelligent by the beautiful expression of her dark eyes.

"Pride and Prejudice" - Jane Austen

[cups-official]

they're putting AI in our camera lenses... what has this world come to

[battfishe]

assorted dragon cave portrait dump

[pale-opal]

Something that's been on my mind for a while is that a lot of artists have been struggling to find programs that work with their budgets. Adobe's prices are... infamous, to say the least, and there seems to be a sharp learning curve for the more affordable options. And if you're like me, you might not feel comfortable with pirating to get an art program that is out of your price range. So here's a list of free art/editing tools. Any options without links are either mobile apps or can only be downloaded on Macs: Options without ads or watermarks:

FireAlpaca (notes: while this is an art program at heart, it can also be used as basic photo editing software once you get the hang of it. There is also a blog dedicated to tutorials on how to use FA in case you get stuck)

Medibang (note: the aforementioned FireAlpaca blog has some information on this software as well)

Krita (note: also available as an app for android and Google devices)

Storyboarder (notes: not to be confused with "Storyboarder.AI". While this program does require your email address before downloading, it is safe to use as far as I know (but please use caution regardless))

Pixilart (notes: link leads to browser version, also available as a mobile app)

Audacity (notes: apparently, the company behind this software, Muse Group, have also created a separate, subscription-based AI-voice program. I am unsure if it uses AI in a way that is generally considered to be ethical, like SynthV does, or if it follows the trends typically expected of those kinds of applications. The reason that I include this information is that I want to give everyone the ability to make an informed decision about whether or not they want to use anything from Muse Group, as I know many users on this site are anti-AI. However, I also know that some of those users wouldn't mind using Audacity since downloading it wouldn't be giving Muse Group monetary support - hence why the program is staying on the list.)

Clipchamp (notes: there are also paid tiers for this program. It is also available in-browser and as an iOS app. Furthermore, please be aware that there are some optional features that use AI)

iMovie (note: also available as a mobile app on iOS devices)

DramaQueen (notes: this is a software used to write scripts for plays, movies, etc. While it does require you to fill out some information before downloading, as far as I am aware, it is safe to use (but as always, use your own discretion))

Options that do have ads, watermarks, or microtransactions

ibisPaint X

Sketchbook (notes: formerly known as "Autodesk Sketchbook". PC and Mac versions do exist, but you have to pay to download them)

Medibang Paint

Capcut (note: has optional AI tools).

Be sure to check what system requirements are necessary for each program, and be aware of their limitations before downloading (for example, many users report Clipchamp has a tendency to crash, while others seem to be able to use it fine). Also, please feel free to add on to this. I know I haven't even scratched the surface here, as I tried to stick to software that I've either heard of extensively or have used personally.

[fritzes]

taylor fritz in an atp quiz

[citadelrock]

this is what no pussy does to a mf (panam hasn't called about the basilisk yet)

[undergroundwubwubmaster]

Triton fighter called Barb i played for a oneshot!

He was very fun, hoping to switch him into a barbarian (Barb the barbarian, get it?) and use him as an NPC for games in the future.

[dunaldoodles]

Artist Ask Challenge!

Number 18! 👀

Humans. Hands down. Ever noticed how I never draw em? It's in part because to me furries and anthros are just. So much more interesting. But also because I find humans IMPOSSIBLE to draw. The few times I have, it's ended up... okay. Not my greatest work.

This is also why I never really make gijinkas. Like ever. It's always bugs and monsters and such. If I have the choice, I can and will make creatures out of humans.

Someday I gotta work more on em. That day is not today lmao.

[enidtwd]

i really do appreciate the walking dead having so many southern main characters with thick accents -- and not only that, but generally not portraying them as stupid, uneducated, or incapable of growth. rick, maggie, and daryl stand out to me a lot, but even side characters/characters w less screentime (beth, hershel, shane, lori, etc.) all felt super complex, realistic, well-rounded... love that

[th3-0bjectivist]

Dear listener, if you’ve never heard of Aphex Twin before, cling fast to your genitals. Because, like a 2500-volt shock straight to the testes, you’re going to find this musical entry quite shocking! Before you smash play on the music video above, I will immediately attempt to dissuade you from viewing if 1. You are the faint-of-heart type 2. You have a medical condition that is triggered by strobe lights. I don’t want you to have a series of elaborate seizures. Go figure; you’re my fuckin’ audience. I don’t want to kill my audience on Tumblr just so it’s clear. At least, not this week. For the rest that remain; if you've never seen an AT video before, the time for your distressing and traumatic cult initiation is NOW. Smash play on the track above; it's Come to Daddy from the 1997 album of the same name.

OMFG… this guy is hot AF. I was personally introduced to AT about two decades ago through one of my stoner friends who went to basement raves to dance with glow sticks. At the time, I really didn’t understand what the hell I was listening to. A lot of it just sounded like disorganized and cobbled-together noises. However, my musical tastes have evolved, and in hindsight, I can fully acknowledge that the music of soloist and Ireland-born Richard David James was simply beyond my comprehensive grasp as a young adult. He is and was a true pioneer in the music industry, having the aptitude and talent to bring a brand-new type of music to bloom in the 90’s, that being IDM (intelligent dance music). IDM, by my understanding, is derivative of breakbeat, techno, and acid house… but pushed to the very edge of experimental extremes. It is dance music (you CAN’T dance to a lot of it unless you want to have spasmodic fits, it’s honestly more proper for exercise/home environment listening) that is custom-tailored for a very discerning and clever audience, and I find that a lot of IDM sounds itself like a living, breathing entity. What AT brought to the table was a uniquely charismatic, versatile, and in some cases downright emotionally impacting experience that I cannot in good conscience declare as useless. It is the polar opposite of generic modern melodies, as AT pushed and continues to push the envelope of modern music to its most illogical boundaries. Probably my favorite feature of AT’s overall sound is the asynchronous beats, which, while not in any way traditionally mathematical or ‘correct’ in timing, is a genuine example of that tonic path that Aphex Twin and IDM as a genre have to offer. AT does whatever others are afraid to try, and the overall discography runs the gamut from shy electronic ambient to full-on head-banging badassery. Enjoy, and there will be far more music to come this year!

If you care to pursue the actual emotional range of AT’s music, click just above for one of the most (if not THE most) emotive ambient tunes I’ve absorbed in my lifetime, Rhubarb from Selected Ambient Works Volume II (1994). And if you’re really, really in the mood to traumatize yourself, click here for one of the most disturbing music videos I’ve seen in my lifetime. I wanna make it clear, IF YOU CLICK ON THE IMMEDIATELY PREVIOUS LINK, I am in no way responsible for the mental damage it does to you as a result. YOU... are by your own free will and accord, willingly clicking on the link. I am merely providing you a path, in fact multiple paths, to explore Aphex Twin’s sound further. Image source: https://testpress.news/na-klassiku-aphex-twin-windowlicker-v-anglii-snyali-sotsialnuyu-reklamu-bezopasnoj-ezdy/

[shallowcloudz]

Odysseus frowned, and eyed him coldly, saying: "That was uncalled for, friend, you talk like a fool. The gods deal out no gift, this one or any - birth, brains, or speech - to every man alike. In looks a man may be a shade, a specter, and yet be master of speech so crowned with beauty that people gaze at him with pleasure. Courteous, sure of himself, he can command assemblies, and when he comes to town, the crowds gather. A handsome man, contrariwise, may lack grace and good sense in everything he says. You now, for instance, with your fine physique-a god's, indeed-you have an empty noddle. I find my heart inside my ribs aroused by your impertinence. I am no stranger to contests, as you fancy. I rated well when I could count on youth and my two hands. Now pain has cramped me, and my years of combat hacking through ranks in war, and the bitter sea. Aye. Even so I'll give your games a trial. You spoke heart-wounding words. You shall be answered."

- Book Vlll: The songs of the harper, Fitzgerald

[zag102]

More Human than Human: The Untimely Definitive Analysis of Blade Runner That Nobody Asked

Was Deckard a replicant? I found the answer: it doesn't matter.

One of the most talked about elements of the Blade Runner movie franchise is whether Deckard is a human or a replicant. After extensive research I have found the definitive answer: It doesn’t matter. Let’s settle this once and for all. It doesn’t matter. The reason is because any difference between replicants and humans is irrelevant and, by the time of the first Blade Runner movie, the time of…