#so far its just pattern recognition technologies

[theluckiestrose]

The reason i know AI is a passing fad and not a genuine threat is because its being pushed by the same goobers who were pushing things like crypto and the metaverse and nfts.

Its not a waste of energy to get mad about it. Make sure the companies adopting its worse iterations know they're fucking up. Thats part of how NFTs lost their luster. Just remember how often techbros bandwagon on the newest, dumbest, shiniest thing and dont panic.

[fatemamitu]

The AI Revolution: Understanding, Harnessing, and Navigating the Future

What is AI

In a world increasingly shaped by technology, one term stands out above the rest, capturing both our imagination and, at times, our apprehension: Artificial Intelligence. From science fiction dreams to tangible realities, AI is no longer a distant concept but an omnipresent force, subtly (and sometimes not-so-subtly) reshaping industries, transforming daily life, and fundamentally altering our perception of what's possible.

But what exactly is AI? Is it a benevolent helper, a job-stealing machine, or something else entirely? The truth, as always, is far more nuanced. At its core, Artificial Intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. These processes include learning (the acquisition of information and rules for using the information), reasoning (using rules to reach approximate or definite conclusions), and self-correction. What makes modern AI so captivating is its ability to learn from data, identify patterns, and make predictions or decisions with increasing autonomy.

The journey of AI has been a fascinating one, marked by cycles of hype and disillusionment. Early pioneers in the mid-20th century envisioned intelligent machines that could converse and reason. While those early ambitions proved difficult to achieve with the technology of the time, the seeds of AI were sown. The 21st century, however, has witnessed an explosion of progress, fueled by advancements in computing power, the availability of massive datasets, and breakthroughs in machine learning algorithms, particularly deep learning. This has led to the "AI Spring" we are currently experiencing.

The Landscape of AI: More Than Just Robots

When many people think of AI, images of humanoid robots often come to mind. While robotics is certainly a fascinating branch of AI, the field is far broader and more diverse than just mechanical beings. Here are some key areas where AI is making significant strides:

Machine Learning (ML): This is the engine driving much of the current AI revolution. ML algorithms learn from data without being explicitly programmed. Think of recommendation systems on streaming platforms, fraud detection in banking, or personalized advertisements – these are all powered by ML.

Deep Learning (DL): A subset of machine learning inspired by the structure and function of the human brain's neural networks. Deep learning has been instrumental in breakthroughs in image recognition, natural language processing, and speech recognition. The facial recognition on your smartphone or the impressive capabilities of large language models like the one you're currently interacting with are prime examples.

Natural Language Processing (NLP): This field focuses on enabling computers to understand, interpret, and generate human language. From language translation apps to chatbots that provide customer service, NLP is bridging the communication gap between humans and machines.

Computer Vision: This area allows computers to "see" and interpret visual information from the world around them. Autonomous vehicles rely heavily on computer vision to understand their surroundings, while medical imaging analysis uses it to detect diseases.

Robotics: While not all robots are AI-powered, many sophisticated robots leverage AI for navigation, manipulation, and interaction with their environment. From industrial robots in manufacturing to surgical robots assisting doctors, AI is making robots more intelligent and versatile.

AI's Impact: Transforming Industries and Daily Life

The transformative power of AI is evident across virtually every sector. In healthcare, AI is assisting in drug discovery, personalized treatment plans, and early disease detection. In finance, it's used for algorithmic trading, risk assessment, and fraud prevention. The manufacturing industry benefits from AI-powered automation, predictive maintenance, and quality control.

Beyond these traditional industries, AI is woven into the fabric of our daily lives. Virtual assistants like Siri and Google Assistant help us organize our schedules and answer our questions. Spam filters keep our inboxes clean. Navigation apps find the fastest routes. Even the algorithms that curate our social media feeds are a testament to AI's pervasive influence. These applications, while often unseen, are making our lives more convenient, efficient, and connected.

Harnessing the Power: Opportunities and Ethical Considerations

The opportunities presented by AI are immense. It promises to boost productivity, solve complex global challenges like climate change and disease, and unlock new frontiers of creativity and innovation. Businesses that embrace AI can gain a competitive edge, optimize operations, and deliver enhanced customer experiences. Individuals can leverage AI tools to automate repetitive tasks, learn new skills, and augment their own capabilities.

However, with great power comes great responsibility. The rapid advancement of AI also brings forth a host of ethical considerations and potential challenges that demand careful attention.

Job Displacement: One of the most frequently discussed concerns is the potential for AI to automate jobs currently performed by humans. While AI is likely to create new jobs, there will undoubtedly be a shift in the nature of work, requiring reskilling and adaptation.

Bias and Fairness: AI systems learn from the data they are fed. If that data contains historical biases (e.g., related to gender, race, or socioeconomic status), the AI can perpetuate and even amplify those biases in its decisions, leading to unfair outcomes. Ensuring fairness and accountability in AI algorithms is paramount.

Privacy and Security: AI relies heavily on data. The collection and use of vast amounts of personal data raise significant privacy concerns. Moreover, as AI systems become more integrated into critical infrastructure, their security becomes a vital issue.

Transparency and Explainability: Many advanced AI models, particularly deep learning networks, are often referred to as "black boxes" because their decision-making processes are difficult to understand. For critical applications, it's crucial to have transparency and explainability to ensure trust and accountability.

Autonomous Decision-Making: As AI systems become more autonomous, questions arise about who is responsible when an AI makes a mistake or causes harm. The development of ethical guidelines and regulatory frameworks for autonomous AI is an ongoing global discussion.

Navigating the Future: A Human-Centric Approach

Navigating the AI revolution requires a proactive and thoughtful approach. It's not about fearing AI, but rather understanding its capabilities, limitations, and implications. Here are some key principles for moving forward:

Education and Upskilling: Investing in education and training programs that equip individuals with AI literacy and skills in areas like data science, AI ethics, and human-AI collaboration will be crucial for the workforce of the future.

Ethical AI Development: Developers and organizations building AI systems must prioritize ethical considerations from the outset. This includes designing for fairness, transparency, and accountability, and actively mitigating biases.

Robust Governance and Regulation: Governments and international bodies have a vital role to play in developing appropriate regulations and policies that foster innovation while addressing ethical concerns and ensuring the responsible deployment of AI.

Human-AI Collaboration: The future of work is likely to be characterized by collaboration between humans and AI. AI can augment human capabilities, automate mundane tasks, and provide insights, allowing humans to focus on higher-level problem-solving, creativity, and empathy.

Continuous Dialogue: As AI continues to evolve, an ongoing, open dialogue among technologists, ethicists, policymakers, and the public is essential to shape its development in a way that benefits humanity.

The AI revolution is not just a technological shift; it's a societal transformation. By understanding its complexities, embracing its potential, and addressing its challenges with foresight and collaboration, we can harness the power of Artificial Intelligence to build a more prosperous, equitable, and intelligent future for all. The journey has just begun, and the choices we make today will define the world of tomorrow.

[the-perfect-wagnerite-again]

Hello! Why didn’t you like guns germs and steel? I was thinking of reading it but I just wanted a heads up. Thank you a lot!

So it's not that it's a bad book exactly, but it's certainly not great. A good comparison would be the narrative of the American Revolution that you learned about in elementary and middle school. The particular facts, dates, and rote recitation of individual events is probably mostly correct, but the narrative structure that enframes and coheres those isolated nodes of information is entirely without historical merit.

In Diamond's case, the narrative that he chooses to use to interpret all facts and events that he considers relevant to the story of human development is geographical distribution, to the explicit exclusion of any other vector of influence. To this end, Diamond onboards plainly incorrect assumptions about the human species (such as the assumption that all human beings are neurologically identical) and begs the question on the material causes of nonmaterial developments (religious practice is an outgrowth of material circumstances, the reverse is never mentioned).

A particular peeve I have with Diamond is his out-of-hand dismissal of IQ as a legitimate measure of intelligence. In his introduction, he glibly slides past IQ tests as unimportant trivia quizzes, as if the reason the natives of New Guinea perform poorly is because such tests are asking subjects to identify Bach fugue subjects or determine mathematical operation orders. Diamond is well aware, as is anyone who has ever taken an IQ test, that such exams measure abstract cognitive power through such problems as pattern-recognition and spatial reasoning, problems utterly divorced from cultural influence or environmental factors. There is, to date, no measure of cognitive aptitude as accurate and correlative with intelligence as IQ - which is precisely why we use it. Those who assume a priori that all human beings innately have identical neurological profiles are obligated to ignore this fact, because the reality of performance disparities between groups is politically inconvenient for their emotionally-informed assumption. It is with this dismissal of reality that Diamond can assert such absurdities as "New Guinea natives might actually be smarter than most modern Europeans" (this is based, as far as I can tell, exclusively on Diamonds personal experience with the local tribesmen of Papua New Guinea during his excursions there).

With that in mind, every relevant fact that Diamond selects as a necessary step in the development of human societies is "true" in the sense that, in a vacuum, there is mostly likely a positive truth-value to the individual assertions he presents. Most inventions are accidental. Most technologies are spread through cultural exchange. Most agricultural developments depend on beasts of burden. All of this is true. In aggregate, Diamond takes these facts as excuses to explain away the poor development of sub-Saharan Africans and reframe the advancements of Europeans as the products of chance, accident, and luck.

I would say that the biggest flaw of the book is Diamond's position that geographical distribution is the ONLY factor in human development, rather than one factor of many. The spiritual drive of a people, its native psychometric capacity, and its coevolutionary characteristics are every bit as important as its access to material resources, if not more important ( e.g. as regulatory vectors for those resources in the first instance). Read it with a heaping pile of salt.

[matthew-mclaughlin]

Invisible Assistant: How AI Is Quietly Redefining Modern Living

Artificial Intelligence has moved far beyond futuristic dreams and high-tech labs. It’s now a practical, everyday companion—shaping how we live, work, and interact without ever demanding the spotlight. From morning alarms triggered by sleep cycles to AI-curated news feeds and personalized grocery apps, artificial intelligence is seamlessly integrated into our daily routines. Yet many of us are unaware of just how much it’s changed our lives.

AI doesn’t always look like a robot. Sometimes, it’s the software that recommends your next show or flags a suspicious credit card transaction. As this technology continues to evolve, so too does its impact—delivering more brilliant convenience, faster decisions, and more tailored experiences with each passing year.

Personal Assistants That Know You Better Than You Think

One of the most direct ways people encounter AI is through digital assistants. Whether it’s Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple’s Siri, these voice-activated tools rely on natural language processing to understand and respond to our commands. But it’s not just about setting timers or checking the weather. These assistants learn from your preferences, routines, and even tone of voice to become increasingly intuitive.

AI-powered assistants are evolving into lifestyle managers. They can anticipate your schedule, suggest the best time to leave for appointments based on traffic, and even manage your shopping lists by predicting what you’ll run out of. In the background, machine learning refines every interaction, making future engagements faster, smoother, and more relevant.

AI in Daily Communication: Predictive and Personalized

Even the way we text, email, and communicate has been subtly reshaped by artificial intelligence. Predictive text, grammar suggestions, and auto-reply features are driven by AI models that analyze sentence structure and context. These systems not only save time but also improve clarity and reduce errors in everyday conversations.

In email applications, AI filters out spam, organizes your inbox, and even suggests short, accurate replies based on the message’s tone. On messaging platforms like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, chatbots now answer service-related questions 24/7. For businesses, AI-enhanced communication tools are redefining customer service, reducing response time, and enabling companies to serve global audiences around the clock.

Shopping Smarter with AI Recommendations

Artificial intelligence is quietly revolutionizing how we shop. From fashion to groceries, AI analyzes your preferences, behavior, and past purchases to recommend products before you even realize you want them. Retail giants like Amazon and Netflix depend heavily on machine learning algorithms to provide personalized shopping and entertainment suggestions.

These systems track browsing habits, click patterns, and purchase history to create accurate customer profiles. But AI in retail isn’t limited to e-commerce. In physical stores, AI-driven inventory systems forecast demand, manage stock levels, and optimize supply chains to enhance operational efficiency. Smart mirrors in fitting rooms display how clothes look in different colors, and cashier-less stores utilize facial recognition and sensors to charge customers as they leave automatically.

The seamless blend of convenience, customization, and speed is transforming shopping from a task into a curated experience.

AI and Health: From Fitness Tracking to Early Diagnosis

Few areas show AI’s life-enhancing potential more than healthcare. Fitness trackers, such as the Apple Watch, Fitbit, and WHOOP, utilize AI to monitor heart rate, sleep cycles, physical activity, and even oxygen levels. These wearables provide users with real-time insights into their health, empowering them to make proactive choices.

In medicine, AI is becoming an indispensable diagnostic tool. Algorithms now detect signs of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and neurological disorders by analyzing images, lab results, and patient histories more quickly and often with greater accuracy than human doctors. These systems help physicians make informed decisions, reduce diagnostic errors, and improve patient outcomes.

Mental health apps now use AI to detect mood shifts through typing patterns, voice tone, and screen behavior. Some can suggest exercises or connect users with counselors, thereby democratizing access to care and breaking down the stigma. The future of medicine is one where AI doesn’t replace doctors but works alongside them, offering deeper insights and faster support.

Smart Cities and Smarter Travel

AI doesn’t just live in our pockets and homes—it’s shaping the infrastructure around us. Innovative city technologies are utilizing AI to enhance traffic flow, manage public services, and improve safety. Traffic lights adjust in real time based on congestion, and AI monitors utilities to reduce waste and predict outages before they occur.

In transportation, ride-sharing platforms like Uber and Lyft optimize routes and pricing through AI. Airlines use AI to manage flight schedules, overbooking, and even in-flight services. Navigation apps learn from real-time data to redirect drivers around traffic jams or road closures.

As self-driving vehicles continue to evolve, AI will soon become the very driver behind transportation systems—literally. With predictive maintenance, intelligent traffic systems, and AI logistics management, our daily travel is on track to become safer, more efficient, and less stressful.

The Emotional Side of AI: Human Connection Through Technology

Beyond the mechanics of convenience and efficiency, AI is starting to play a surprising role in emotional support and companionship. Social robots and AI-powered pets offer comfort to elderly individuals, children, and people with disabilities. These devices can carry on conversations, provide reminders, and detect changes in mood or health.

AI is also being integrated into virtual therapy platforms, providing conversational interfaces that enable users to explore their thoughts and feelings in a safe and private setting. These AI-driven tools can’t replace human empathy, but they do make emotional support more accessible.

What makes these applications powerful is not just their technical prowess but their capacity to connect with users in meaningful, human-like ways.

A Quiet Revolution That’s Just Getting Started

Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant promise—it’s an active participant in our everyday lives. It lives in our homes, communicates with us through our devices, shops with us, travels alongside us, and even helps monitor our health and emotional well-being. Often, it does all this so quietly that we don’t stop to acknowledge how deeply it’s woven into our routines.

But the influence of AI isn’t just in the tools it powers—it’s in how it changes our expectations. We now anticipate immediate answers, personalized suggestions, and seamless services. AI is shaping not only what we do but how we think about technology and its role in our lives.

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, its future will depend on thoughtful design, ethical deployment, and transparency. Done right, AI won’t just change how we live—it will enrich our lives in ways we’re only beginning to understand.

[meloinaw]

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[mdsajibhossain0]

The Gamification Of Investing: Tracing the Evolution of Stock Market Simulations

The notion of a inventory current market game has progressed drastically over the years, reflecting both equally alterations in engineering and shifts in how people interact with financial markets. From its humble beginnings as a straightforward educational Resource to its present standing as a popular on the net simulation platform, the stock current market sport has gone through a remarkable evolution.

Originally, inventory marketplace online games were being mostly Utilized in instructional settings to teach pupils about investing and financial literacy. These early video games typically associated paper trading, in which members would keep track of hypothetical investments on paper with out truly jeopardizing authentic money. Whilst powerful in instructing essential principles, these games lacked the real-time dynamics and interactive attributes of real stock buying and selling.

Even so, with the arrival of the online world and innovations in technology, stock market game began to undergo a change. On line platforms emerged, offering users the chance to simulate investing in actual-time employing virtual cash. These platforms not only provided a far more sensible buying and selling encounter but also authorized members to compete versus one another and accessibility a wide range of instructional assets.

As the recognition of on the internet inventory market place games grew, so much too did their sophistication. Nowadays, players can Make a choice from many different platforms that cater to different ability levels and Choices. Some games center on supplying a sensible trading practical experience, total with current market information and Investigation tools, while others emphasize social interaction and gamification.

A person notable pattern during the evolution of stock market place game titles is the integration of social and gaming factors. Lots of platforms now incorporate characteristics which include leaderboards, achievements, and multiplayer functionality to boost consumer engagement and retention. These features not just make the online games extra fulfilling but in addition really encourage gamers to find out and boost their buying and selling techniques.

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In conclusion, the evolution of the stock market evolution gaming has actually been a testament to the strength of know-how and innovation. What commenced as a simple instructional Device has blossomed into a sophisticated on line platform that offers people a realistic investing knowledge, social interaction, and academic resources. Whether or not you are a seasoned Trader or possibly a novice aiming to find out the ropes, there's under no circumstances been a much better the perfect time to dive into the globe of inventory industry gaming.

[emergingindiaanalyticsnoida]

Demystifying Facial Analysis: A Guide to Gender and Age Detection in Data Science

Unlocking the mysteries of human faces has always been a fascination for scientists and researchers. Through the lens of data science, facial analysis offers an intriguing opportunity to delve deeper into understanding our identities. One key aspect of this analysis is gender and age detection, which holds immense potential in various fields. From marketing to security systems, these insights can shape how we interact with technology and each other. So grab your virtual magnifying glass as we embark on a journey to demystify facial analysis and explore its far-reaching implications!

What is Facial Analysis?

Facial analysis, in simple terms, refers to the process of using computer algorithms and techniques to extract information from facial images or videos. It involves recognizing and interpreting various attributes such as gender, age, emotions, expressions, and even individual features like eye color or facial hair. By analyzing facial data through machine learning algorithms and pattern recognition models, researchers can gain valuable insights into human behavior and characteristics. Gender detection focuses on determining whether a face belongs to a male or female individual based on specific visual cues. Similarly, age detection aims to estimate the approximate age range of an individual based on their facial features. This field has gained significant momentum due to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. With deep learning models that are capable of processing large amounts of data efficiently, facial analysis has become more accurate and robust over time. Moreover, with the advent of high-resolution cameras embedded in smartphones and other devices combined with sophisticated software applications, performing real-time facial analysis has become increasingly accessible for both research purposes and practical applications alike. Facial analysis can be applied across various domains including marketing research, security systems development (such as face recognition for access control), healthcare diagnostics (identifying medical conditions through physical traits), entertainment industry (animation modeling), virtual reality experiences - just to name a few! However intriguing this technology may seem at first glance it is important that we also consider ethical concerns associated with privacy invasion or potential biases in algorithmic decision-making which need careful attention before widespread adoption. Let's dive deeper into these aspects later but first let's explore some common techniques used in this field!

The Importance of Gender and Age Detection in Data Science

Gender and age detection in data science plays a crucial role in numerous applications across various industries. By accurately analyzing facial features, data scientists can gain valuable insights that help drive decision-making processes. Understanding the demographics of a target audience is essential for businesses to tailor their marketing strategies effectively. Gender and age detection algorithms enable companies to segment their customers based on these attributes, allowing them to deliver personalized advertisements and products that resonate with specific groups. This not only enhances customer engagement but also improves overall customer satisfaction. In the healthcare industry, gender and age analysis can assist medical professionals in developing targeted treatment plans. By examining patient images or videos, doctors can identify patterns related to certain diseases or conditions more efficiently. For instance, detecting signs of aging or gender-specific symptoms can lead to early diagnosis and intervention. Moreover, law enforcement agencies benefit from gender and age identification techniques when investigating criminal cases. Facial analysis technology allows investigators to narrow down potential suspects by identifying key characteristics such as gender and estimated age range from surveillance footage or photographs. Even in the field of entertainment and gaming, accurate gender detection has become increasingly important for creating realistic avatars or characters in virtual environments. By understanding the user's demographic information through facial analysis techniques, developers can enhance user experiences by tailoring game mechanics or content accordingly. It is worth mentioning that ethical considerations must be taken into account when implementing facial analysis technologies. Privacy concerns arise regarding the collection and storage of sensitive biometric data like face images. It is crucial for organizations to ensure proper consent mechanisms are in place while handling such personal information. The future of facial analysis holds immense potential as advancements continue to be made in machine learning algorithms and computer vision technologies. With improved accuracy rates, we can expect even greater integration of these techniques into everyday life — from personalized shopping experiences online to enhanced security measures at airports. In conclusion (Never use "In conclusion"!), gender and age detection through facial analysis is an invaluable tool within data science. Its applications span across industries, enabling businesses to better understand their customers, healthcare

Common Techniques Used in Facial Analysis

Facial analysis is an intriguing field that combines computer vision and data science to extract valuable information from facial images. To accurately detect gender and age, several techniques are commonly used in facial analysis. One of the most widely employed techniques is machine learning, where algorithms are trained on vast datasets of labeled images. These algorithms learn patterns and features that can be used to classify faces based on gender or estimate age ranges. Deep learning methods such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have shown remarkable performance in this area. Another technique utilized in facial analysis is feature extraction. This involves extracting distinctive attributes from a face, such as eyebrow shape, nose size, or cheekbone structure. These features can then be analyzed using statistical models or compared against reference databases for gender identification or estimating age categories. Furthermore, geometric modeling plays a crucial role in facial analysis. By mapping key points on a face like eyes, nose, and mouth using landmarks or fiducial markers, it becomes possible to analyze their spatial relationships and derive meaningful insights about gender and age. In addition to these techniques, researchers have also explored the use of texture analysis which focuses on analyzing textural patterns present on the face itself. By examining fine details such as skin wrinkles or hair textures through image processing algorithms like Gabor filters or Local Binary Patterns (LBP), it becomes feasible to make predictions about gender and approximate age range. With advancements in technology continuing at a rapid pace, new approaches like 3D imaging are emerging as well. This method captures depth information along with traditional 2D images to create more accurate representations of faces for improved gender and age detection. In conclusion, the field of facial analysis encompasses various techniques including machine learning, feature extraction, geometric modeling, texture analysis, and even emerging technologies like 3D imaging. These methods offer valuable tools for detecting gender and estimating ages. As technology progresses further, the accuracy and capabilities of facial analysis are expected to improve, opening up new opportunities

Challenges in Accurately Detecting Gender and Age

Challenges in Accurately Detecting Gender and Age Facial analysis has revolutionized many aspects of our lives, from personalized advertising to security systems. However, accurately detecting gender and age is not without its challenges. One of the main challenges is the variability in facial features among individuals. Each person's face is unique, with different shapes, sizes, and proportions. This makes it difficult to develop algorithms that can accurately identify gender and age across diverse populations. Another challenge lies in dealing with factors such as lighting conditions and pose variations. Changes in lighting can dramatically alter the appearance of a person's face, making it harder for algorithms to extract reliable information about gender and age. Similarly, when people are captured from different angles or adopt various poses, it becomes more challenging to analyze their facial features consistently. Additionally, there are cultural differences that need to be taken into account. Facial analysis models trained on data from one region or ethnicity may not perform as well when applied to another population due to variations in facial characteristics. Moreover, ongoing advancements in technology bring new challenges too. As deep learning techniques continue to evolve rapidly, staying up-to-date with the latest methodologies presents an ongoing challenge for researchers working on improving accuracy in facial analysis. Despite these hurdles, researchers are constantly striving towards overcoming these obstacles by developing more robust algorithms that can handle these complexities effectively. The progress made so far demonstrates promising results but acknowledges there is still room for improvement. By addressing these challenges head-on through collaboration between experts from diverse fields like computer vision and machine learning along with careful consideration of ethical implications associated with privacy concerns we will continue pushing forward towards more accurate gender and age detection using facial analysis techniques.

Applications of Facial Analysis in Different Industries

Facial analysis has become a valuable tool across various industries, offering unique insights and applications. In the field of marketing and advertising, facial analysis helps companies better understand their target audience. By analyzing facial expressions, marketers can gauge emotional responses to advertisements and adjust their messaging accordingly. This provides an opportunity for more personalized and effective campaigns. In the healthcare industry, facial analysis plays a crucial role in diagnosing certain medical conditions. For example, it can be used to detect early signs of Parkinson's disease by analyzing microexpressions that indicate muscular impairment. Additionally, facial analysis can assist in monitoring patient pain levels through automated recognition of pain-related expressions. In the retail sector, facial analysis enables businesses to enhance customer experience by personalizing interactions based on gender and age detection. By understanding demographic information about customers entering their stores or accessing websites, retailers can tailor product recommendations or create targeted promotions. The entertainment industry also benefits from facial analysis technology. Movie studios utilize this technology to conduct market research by analyzing audience reactions during test screenings. This data helps filmmakers make informed decisions regarding editing choices or even potential alternate endings. Moreover, law enforcement agencies leverage facial analysis for forensic investigations. Using biometric databases and surveillance footage, investigators can analyze faces captured on camera to identify suspects or track missing persons. Lastly but not leastly (if I may say so), financial institutions employ facial analysis as an added layer of security for identity verification purposes. By comparing live images with stored photographs on file during account access requests or transactions initiation is possible to prevent fraud attempts effectively. Overall, facial analysis holds immense potential across numerous industries where understanding human behavior is essential for success.

Ethical Considerations in Facial Analysis

As with any technology that involves the collection and analysis of personal data, facial analysis raises important ethical considerations. The ability to detect gender and age from facial images can potentially be used for both positive and negative purposes, depending on how it is implemented. One key concern is privacy. Facial analysis relies on the availability of large datasets containing people's faces, which can raise concerns about consent and the potential misuse of personal information. It is crucial to ensure that individuals have given their informed consent for their facial data to be used in these analyses, and that appropriate measures are taken to protect this sensitive information. Another ethical consideration is bias. Facial analysis algorithms are trained using existing datasets, which may not always represent a diverse range of genders, ages, or ethnicities. This can lead to biased results that perpetuate stereotypes or discriminate against certain groups. To address this issue, it is essential for researchers and developers to actively work towards improving dataset diversity and ensuring fairness in algorithmic predictions. Transparency also plays a significant role in ethical facial analysis practices. Users should have clear knowledge about when their faces are being analyzed and how the collected data will be used. Companies utilizing facial analysis must provide transparent explanations about what information they collect, how they process it, who has access to it, and how long it will be retained. There are broader societal implications associated with widespread use of facial analysis technology. These include issues such as surveillance concerns, potential discrimination based on inferred attributes like gender or age prediction,and even deepfakes where manipulated images can create false narratives or harm someone's reputation. Overall,the integration of ethics into every stage of development - from collecting training data through implementing algorithms -is essential to ensure responsible use of facial analysis technology while minimizing its potential risks.

Future of Facial Analysis and Its Impact on Society

The future of facial analysis holds immense potential and is set to have a profound impact on society. With advancements in technology, we can expect more accurate and sophisticated algorithms that can not only detect gender and age but also emotions, facial expressions, and even health conditions. One major area where the future of facial analysis will make a significant difference is security. Facial recognition systems are already being used for identity verification in various industries such as airports, banks, and government agencies. As the accuracy of these systems improves, they will become even more reliable for ensuring secure access control. Another exciting development is the integration of facial analysis into healthcare. By analyzing facial features and expressions, doctors may be able to detect early signs of certain medical conditions like Parkinson's disease or mental health disorders. This could potentially revolutionize diagnosis methods and lead to earlier interventions. In retail and marketing, facial analysis can provide valuable insights about consumer behavior. Retailers can use this data to personalize their offerings based on customer preferences or predict trends by analyzing demographic information from large datasets. However, with all these advancements come ethical considerations that cannot be ignored. Privacy concerns arise when it comes to capturing biometric data without explicit consent or storing it securely to prevent misuse or hacking attempts. As society moves forward with integrating facial analysis into various aspects of our lives, it becomes crucial to establish clear regulations regarding its usage and address any biases that might exist within these technologies. The future of facial analysis presents both opportunities and challenges for our society. It has the potential to enhance security measures while improving healthcare diagnostics and transforming how businesses understand their customers. Nonetheless, careful consideration must be given to privacy concerns and ethical implications as we embrace this cutting-edge technology

Conclusion

Facial analysis has emerged as a powerful tool in the field of data science, enabling us to extract meaningful insights from facial images. The ability to detect gender and age accurately opens up new possibilities for various industries and applications. Through this guide, we have explored what facial analysis is and why gender and age detection are crucial in data science. We have also delved into the common techniques used in facial analysis, as well as the challenges faced in achieving accurate results. The applications of facial analysis span across numerous industries, including marketing, healthcare, security, and entertainment. From targeted advertising campaigns to personalized medical treatments, this technology has the potential to revolutionize how businesses operate. However, it's important to consider ethical considerations when implementing facial analysis systems. Privacy concerns and potential biases must be addressed appropriately to ensure fairness and protect individuals' rights. Looking towards the future, facial analysis is expected to continue evolving rapidly with advancements in artificial intelligence and computer vision technologies. This progress will undoubtedly impact society on multiple fronts – from improving customer experiences to enhancing security measures. As we move forward into this exciting era of data science-driven solutions, it becomes imperative that we approach facial analysis with responsibility and transparency. By harnessing its power ethically while addressing its limitations diligently, we can maximize the benefits while minimizing any negative impacts. In conclusion (without using those exact words), let us embrace the opportunities presented by facial analysis while keeping sight of our moral compasses. With careful consideration given to privacy concerns and bias mitigation efforts alongside technological advancements guided by responsible practices - together we can unlock a world where gender-accurate analyses empower decision-making processes across various domains!

[rpacpc]

Online KYC Verification: Making Your Personal Data Untouchable

In an age where our lives are increasingly intertwined with the digital world, safeguarding our personal data has become paramount. Whether you're signing up for a new online service, making financial transactions, or simply browsing social media, your personal information is constantly at risk. This is where KYC (Know Your Customer) verification steps in as a digital fortress, protecting your data from malicious actors. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve deep into the world of Online KYC Verification, its significance, and how it plays a pivotal role in making your personal data untouchable. 

The Genesis of KYC Verification

To truly understand the importance of Online KYC Verification, let's first explore its origins. KYC, as a concept, emerged as a response to the growing need for identity verification in various sectors, particularly in the financial industry. It was initially implemented to curb money laundering, fraud, and other illicit activities. Over time, KYC evolved and found applications far beyond the realm of finance. 

The Digital Age and KYC

As our lives have migrated to the digital realm, so too has the need for KYC verification. In the digital age, your identity isn't confined to a physical passport or driver's license. Instead, it's a complex web of data points that need safeguarding. Online KYC Verification ensures that your digital identity remains secure, whether you're opening a bank account, signing up for a social media platform, or conducting e-commerce transactions. 

The Mechanics of Online KYC Verification 

1. Document Verification

One of the foundational pillars of KYC is document verification. When you provide your identification documents, such as your passport or driver's license, the online platform utilizes advanced algorithms to verify the authenticity of these documents. This process ensures that you are who you claim to be. 

2. Biometric Authentication

Innovations in biometric technology have revolutionized KYC. Biometric authentication methods, such as fingerprint recognition, facial recognition, and voice recognition, provide an added layer of security. These technologies make it extremely difficult for unauthorized individuals to gain access to your accounts. 

3. Watchlist Screening

To further enhance security, online KYC systems often include watchlist screening. This involves cross-referencing individuals against government watchlists and databases of known criminals or politically exposed persons. Any matches raise red flags, prompting further investigation. 

4. Machine Learning and AI

Modern KYC systems leverage machine learning and artificial intelligence to continuously evolve and adapt to emerging threats. These technologies analyze vast amounts of data to identify suspicious patterns and activities, further fortifying your personal data. 

Why Online KYC Verification Matters 

Protecting Your Financial Assets

Online KYC Verification plays a crucial role in protecting your financial assets. Without it, anyone with access to your banking details could potentially drain your accounts. KYC acts as a barrier, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access your financial resources. 

Safeguarding Personal Information

Your personal information, such as your social security number and address, is a goldmine for identity thieves. Online KYC Verification ensures that this information remains out of reach for cybercriminals, safeguarding your privacy. 

Preventing Fraud

Fraudulent activities, whether in e-commerce or financial transactions, can be devastating. Online KYC Verification acts as a deterrent, making it significantly more difficult for fraudsters to operate undetected. 

Compliance with Regulations

For businesses, adhering to KYC regulations is not just good practice; it's often a legal requirement. Failure to implement robust KYC measures can result in severe penalties. Therefore, KYC ensures businesses remain compliant with the law while also protecting their customers. 

The Future of Online KYC Verification: Advancements and Challenges 

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital technology, online KYC (Know Your Customer) verification is poised for remarkable advancements and yet faces its fair share of challenges. As we look ahead, it's essential to explore the potential developments in this critical area of cybersecurity and privacy protection. 

Advancements in Online KYC Verification

1. Blockchain Integration

One of the most promising advancements is the integration of blockchain technology into online KYC verification processes. Blockchain offers an immutable and transparent ledger, making it exceptionally secure for storing and verifying personal data. Users can have greater control over their data, sharing only what's necessary, and revoking access when needed. 

2. Decentralized Identity (DID)

Decentralized Identity solutions are on the rise. Users can maintain their identities independently, reducing reliance on centralized authorities. DID platforms allow for selective disclosure of information, ensuring that businesses receive only the required data for verification, enhancing privacy. 

3. Biometric Innovation

Biometric authentication methods will continue to evolve, becoming even more accurate and secure. Facial recognition, voice recognition, and even behavioral biometrics will play a more significant role in ensuring the identity of users in real-time, making fraud exceedingly difficult. 

4. AI-Powered KYC

Artificial intelligence and machine learning will enable KYC systems to become smarter and more adaptable. These systems can learn from user behavior and adapt their verification methods accordingly, making them more user-friendly while maintaining security. 

5. Global Standards and Interoperability

As online services span the globe, the need for global standards in KYC verification becomes paramount. Advancements will include more robust efforts towards standardization and interoperability, allowing users to verify their identities seamlessly across various platforms and borders. 

Challenges Ahead

1. Privacy Concerns

As KYC verification becomes more advanced, there's a growing concern about how personal data is handled. Striking the right balance between security and privacy is a considerable challenge, as more data is collected during the verification process. 

2. Security Threats

Advancements in technology are a double-edged sword. While they enhance security, they also empower cybercriminals with more sophisticated tools. Staying ahead of these threats will be an ongoing challenge for KYC systems. 

3. User Experience

Users often find KYC processes cumbersome and time-consuming. Striking the right balance between robust verification and a seamless user experience will remain challenging, as these processes become more complex. 

4. Regulatory Compliance

KYC regulations are continually evolving, and businesses must keep pace with these changes. Ensuring compliance with an ever-changing regulatory landscape can be resource-intensive and challenging. 

5. Accessibility

Not all users have access to the latest technology or may struggle with certain verification methods due to disabilities. Ensuring KYC systems are accessible to all is a challenge that requires ongoing attention. 

The future of online KYC verification is promising, with advancements that will enhance security and user experience. However, these advancements come with their own set of challenges, including privacy concerns, evolving security threats, and the need for global standards. Striking the right balance between innovation and addressing these challenges will be crucial in shaping the future of online KYC verification. As technology continues to evolve, it's imperative that KYC systems evolve as well, ensuring the continued protection of personal data in an increasingly digital world. 

Conclusion

In an era where personal data is more valuable than ever, Online KYC Verification emerges as the guardian of your digital identity. Its multifaceted approach, combining document verification, biometric authentication, watchlist screening, and cutting-edge technology, makes it a formidable defense against cyber threats. By embracing Online KYC Verification, you are taking proactive steps to make your personal data untouchable in the digital landscape. So, the next time you sign up for a service or make an online transaction, remember that KYC is working silently in the background, ensuring your safety and security.

[timbranyan]

What Are The Top Applications Of AI In Business?

We hear so much about artificial intelligence (AI) these days. But business owners have different takes on this concept as per their niche.

Some don’t know how the applications of AI in business can influence bottom-line discussions. Others stammer when asked what the tech means or how it works.

If you’re somewhat in the dark about the benefits of artificial intelligence in business or don’t know how AI works, maybe because of the misinformation out there, this piece is for you.

Key Takeaways

AI eliminates repetitive tasks, allowing professionals to do their best work without watching the clock.

AI doesn’t work on its own. It needs datasets and customized training to provide useful results.

AI outperforms a lot of regular staff, so yes, it will lead to layoffs. But overall, below the surface, it’s generating a new pool of creative jobs.

How Artificial Intelligence Works?

Artificial intelligence underpins three basic technologies; Machine vision, conversational AI, and Robotics.

Independently, each AI tech can either sense, comprehend, or act. But laced with machine learning, they can work together and learn from the environment instead of just receiving commands. Here is a brief overview of the three technologies that underpin AI:

Machine vision: technologies that allow computers to see and interpret images like the human eye. Eg, facial recognition techs.

Conversational AI: technologies that use natural language processing to understand speech and written text. Eg, generative AI like ChatGPT.

Robotics: technologies that take away any work regarded by humans as dangerous or hazardous, repetitive, or just boring. Eg, automation tools like HubSpot.

Top Applications Of AI In Business

1. AI in Marketing

Creating marketing messages that convey the right emotion can be a drag, especially if they’re inaccuracies in your consumer persona or behavioural analysis. But it doesn’t have to be. AI in business is changing the marketing dynamics; below are a few takeaways:

Predict customer churn: customers stop using a product for a myriad of reasons, mostly unknown to you – until now. One of the major benefits of artificial intelligence in business is it can help mitigate churn rates. Simply sign-up for an AI customer data personalization tool such as Cortex – or any other suitable platform – build a customer churn prediction model and export your data. Within minutes, you’ll be able to predict and prevent churn.

Run seamless competitor analysis: learning about the competition is easier said than done. Basic knowledge about their SEO ranking or social media presence can keep you filling in spreadsheet data for hours. Automation software waves goodbye to such tedious and boring marketing tasks. AI can help you effortlessly categorize competitors’ tweets, blogs, and other digital materials by topics, trends, and themes.

Speak to one customer at a time: just like you and me, consumers love to feel seen. They react better to marketing messages specifically tailored to their needs. In a nutshell, confidently creating hyper-personalized content at scale was impossible before the dawn of AI. Nowadays, with tools like Adobe Target and Blueconic, you can find that one customer out of a million and give them what they want.

2. AI in Customer Support

Chatbots are no longer news to the ears. We all use the internet, so I’m guessing you’ve at some point come across the little pop-up – usually at the right side of a website – telling you to leave a message; we’re available 24/7. That’s AI in action. There is voice AI, too.

But while one of the major benefits of artificial intelligence in business is that it’s making automated support seamless, you can take it a step further; there’s more:

Identify behavioral patterns: if you have got a detailed record of purchasing history or buying habits stacked in a folder somewhere far away, probably collecting dust, now is a good time to pick it up. Predictive AI tools can help you anticipate customer sentiment and identify patterns, leaving you with proactive insights on how to improve each customer’s buying experience.

Detect and translate customer language: the world is interconnected, especially for SaaS brands. So on multiple occasions, consumers not familiar with your mother tongue might be at the other end of the line. Don’t fret! You can use AI natural language processing (NLP) tools to detect and translate foreign languages before it gets to your support team.

Synthesize existing information: having a ‘knowledge base’ or ‘FAQ page’ about your offerings makes buying a breeze. But that also means you must spend countless hours creating these materials. Well, with the application of conversational AI in business, you can generate answers to common questions about your product within seconds.

Read more...

[lenaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Ok, i get what you mean.

And the term AI has really been watered down from its actual meaning, by things pop culture over time and especially recently with it being used as some kind of catch phrase so products seem better or 'smarter', and a way of tech companies advertis7ng their peoducts.

But that is not AI.

If you just go by the literal definition of the abbreviation, then its somewhat accurate.

The 'artificial' part is more or less self-explaining and not really conflated a lot, but the 'intelligence' part is so over-used and its so annoying.

Like in the examples you gave, the 2nd one, as you said is machine learning. That is not AI, it is not intelligence. Its just a form of pattern recognition, with different levels of advanvement, which is of course conplex and all but it is not intelligent. There is no intelligebce behind any of it, apart from that of the developers and programmers obvsly.

The program is not intelligent and cant think ourside its own restrictions, it is complex and can be used for a variety of applications, like some types of algorithms have been found to be useful in cancer research.

The programs are incredibly advanced and can recognise patterns far better than humans, but only when they are trained for that specific task.

And there is much more to intelligence, than just pattern recognizion.

The 3rd thing you mentioned, like game ais, is somewhat similar, though they are usually far less complex and the meaning of the word intelligence used here is very different from what intelligence usually refers to.

In this case its probably called artificial intelligence as a way to distinguish itself from actual players, or 'non-artificial' (debatable, because artificial is a very vague term) intelligences, but the game ais are not intelligebces themselves.

In the context of the game, they function like intelligences, or players/characters, but they are not intelligent. Thats of course not required for most games, so it makes sense to use the term AI to refer to those kinds of programms, because the context is the game, and not anything else, and for the game they function similarly to the intelligence of a player.

Still those things and how they are used today and all of its variations, may be called AI, and sometimes it even makes sense, because of context, like the gma AIs, but there is no ibtelligence behind it. Its usually just forms of machine learning and highly advabced pattern recognition on multiple levels simultaneously at best.

But the only way to have an actual artificial intelligence would be if it, a töeast im some ways, approached some levels of consciousness.

Similar to humans, or other animals. Things that are alive. A real AI would also need to approach those requirements, and maybe even need to be in some ways considered alive, for it to be intelligent, but ig thats smth for researxh when it actually comes to that. The only types of real AI are the ones that are fictional, and have been talked about in, as you said for example, science fiction. Depending on the subgenre or specific work, the way it is portrayed can be seen as some form of intelligence, but what i meant in my previous post is, that, with current technological standards this is not yet possible of course, at least for humanity and its asumed level of development.

I dont mean to say things like, that actual artificial intelligence or even life is impossible, because there is no reason to believe that, and personally i think it definitely is.

But there is a huge difference between actual intelligence, which is characterised by so many different factors and a variety of different types of intelligence and application of layers upon layers of logic simultaneously, and things like machine learning, which in its current state it so much more crude. And is basically a complex combinatiom of logic and pattern recognition to achieve a goal, set by the programs internal restrictions and parameters. Its just advabced computing, and i dont like people calling it intelligence, because actual artificial intelligence is so much more than just an advanced computer, and there is much more nuance and conplexity to it, than just pure logical operations on a very basic level.

if you put things like this on my dash I will block you even if you are my mutual or whatever.

[drainthehero]

Legacy of El

Superman landed in front of the securely fortified building which housed a high-tech secret government agency. It did not look like much from the outside, but the Man of Steel knew that the building and its agents were bristling with advanced technology, some of which originated from other planets.

The building was surrounded by a ring of defence personnel, each training their senses and devices toward the fairly innocuous looking doorway.

“Superman, thank goodness you heard the call.” This came from General Toomey who greeted the muscled kryptonian as he floated toward the temporary command structure.

“What’s the situation?” he responded, looking to the building with concern.

“We have little information so far. What we do know is that three men entered the building about an hour ago and within 15 minutes they had seized control and taken all inside hostage.” The worry in the General’s voice was clear as he continued. “Some of the highest brass in defence is inside that building.”

An image of the three men flashed up on a screen for Superman to inspect as Toomey continued his summary. “They carried no weaponry that we could detect, so we are unsure how they have overpowered the agents inside. It is clear they have advanced technology as they have taken control of the building’s AI. We’ve managed to block it from communicating with any of our other assets though, so the virus should not spread.”

Superman’s long red cape fluttered softly as he studied the faces of the men on the screen. The men were handsome, with bulging muscles showing through the tight silver outfits they wore. “I’ve never seen them before, General,” admitted the Man of Steel.

“Neither have we. Nothing comes through on our facial recognition.” Toomey paused. “We presume they are not from Earth.” The last statement came with a heavily concerned undertone.

Superman took in a big breath, causing his muscled chest to swell the bright blue spandex which adorned his physique. “I presume you would like me to ask them – politely – to relinquish control of the building back to you?”

Toomey gave a short chuckle and nodded. “You know what that building is used for Superman. No need for manners in my opinion. You are authorised to use any means necessary to recover the asset.” The General paused for effect before repeating himself. “Any means necessary.”

The Man of Steel looked briefly at the General before locking his crystal blue eyes on the building. With an almost imperceptible nod he flashed up and away from the command structure before increasing his velocity and striking toward the second story of the building.

Five seconds out from the building he switched his approach from a direct line to an erratic pattern. His change was rewarded as tracer lines shot out from the building, followed by cracking and thudding sounds as heavy shells and energy weapons also surged around him.

Well versed in the buildings’ defences, Superman ensured his erratic approach could not be triangulated and in a few more seconds he braced himself and flew at speed directly through a wall section of the second floor. He knew the building was heavily reinforced but was still shocked at the strength of the impact as he crashed through the wall.

Once inside he landed and shook his head to clear the slightly dazed sensation from punching through that much reinforced armour.

Even before he could take in his surroundings he heard machine gun fire and felt his impervious body being hit by countless rounds as the internal defences took over. Clearly the building was under the complete control of the assailants and it seemed he would have to fight for every step.

Searing red beams of light sprang forth from his eyes and the guns melted under the assault of his heat vision. When the final installation was destroyed he was rewarded with a relative calm.

Hovering just above the floor he moved forward toward the building’s control room, where he hoped the assailants would be positioned. The amount of lead in the building rendered his Xray vision useless so he was instead forced to rely on instinct.

Before he had moved even 20 feet a voice issued from the speakers mounted on the walls. “You are this… Superman? You are their… champion?” Confusion was clearly evident in the voice and Superman felt hope that the assailants may realise the futility of their crime, faced by his impressive might. “Approach… champion.” The Man of Steel noted a subtle shift in the tone of the voice. “The defences have been shut down so we may… negotiate.”

While Superman did not immediately trust the unknown men, he had confidence in his ability to intimidate villains. He hovered cautiously forward as doors opened for him, guiding him toward the control room. The final door was a heavily barricaded setup and it was still rolling open as he flew gracefully through the opening and into the large well lit room.

Inside he saw only the three men. They looked to be mid 20’s and were all good looking with strong features, two having brown hair and one blond. They wore tight fitting silver body suits with gold briefs and white capes, similar in style to his own blue, red and yellow costume.

The men took in the sight of the powerful kryptonian as he floated above the floor in a demonstration of power. The shiny red boots leading to the bright blue spandex covering his muscular calves and thighs which were topped by the tightly packed and bulging red briefs with the yellow belt. All this overshadowed by the ripped stomach and broad chest and shoulders of the mighty superhero.

Superman folded his arms over his mighty chest and flexed his biceps, allowing them to take in his powerful physique as he continued to hover. He felt a strange cloudiness enter his mind but absently shook it off. He decided to wait for them to speak, curious to know their tone.

A silence hung in the air as the three men looked in confusion between Superman and each other. Finally, one of them broke the silence.

“I am Tyron. We did not expect to find one such as you here. Tell me, El, how did you come to be on this planet?” It was more statement than question and showed little sign of any fear of his power.

Superman felt his breathing and heartrate increasing, although he could not tell why. He spent a few seconds calming his body before responding.

“I was sent here when I was young,” even as he responded, the Man of Steel was unsure as to why he was so quick to answer this man, “to escape my dying planet. H… How do you know my name?”

A frown crossed his face as Tyron paused in thought and the conversation was picked up by another man. “I am Henndl. You are an El, not worthy of a name.” The statement was simple, as if spoken to a child.

At the voice of Henndl, Superman again felt the cloudiness drift across his mind. Shaking his head once more he decided it was time to take control of the situation. Raising himself higher he hovered above them and placed his hands on his hips in the classic pose for which he was most known. “I’m not sure who you are, or where you are from, but Earth is under my protection and I will not permit you to create chaos. You need to leave this building now or I will be forced to remove you.”

Henndl and Tyron looked shocked as he spoke, then turned their widened eyes to the third man – tall, muscular and blond, awaiting his word.

“You seem to know nothing of your heritage and your place, El. I am not sure how you came to be here, but I will not ignore the good fortunes which placed you in my path.” The man had a commanding tone and Superman felt the clouds once more drifting into his mind, this time leaving him even more foggy and disoriented.

The Man of Steel shook is head yet again to clear it, but this time the clouds would not part. A look of confusion settled over his handsome features as he tried to clear and sort his thoughts. But just as he felt he may be getting clear that voice once more sent chaos into his mind.

“I am Jard.” Superman felt dizzy as the name was stated and breathed out heavily. “Tell me, El. Who are you?”

As he listened to the voice, Superman felt his mind as if washed away on a river. His body was temporarily a mindless husk and he floated back down to land gracefully on the floor, standing slightly slumped. Without realising it, his hand moved to rest on his thigh just beside his bright red briefs, which had started to tent from an unwanted erection.

“I am Kal-El, last of House El and last survivor following the destruction of the planet Krypton.” The words came out of his mouth in a monotonous tone. “I was sent here by my parents in the dying days of my planet.”

Jard chuckled, a cold harsh barking sound as he listened.

“Let me be the one to correct the lies that you have been told. I will free you of your burdens and gift you with the truth.”

Superman felt an impending sense of dread. He felt like he should just fly away from these strange three men and regroup. But he also felt somehow glued in his place, compelled to listen to this man and hear what he had to say. “Th… the.. truth?”

Jard merely nodded. “You are not of House El. There is no House El,” he scoffed, almost spitting as he said the words. “El is a…” he seemed to search for a suitable term, “brand. Given to all those of your genetic line.” Jard paused as he allowed those words to sink in, watching as the fear and doubt played across the handsome hero’s face. “My ancestors crafted your kind from the original inhabitants of Krypton, when we manipulated your DNA to be the perfect race of servants.”

A look of shock and disbelief had dragged itself across the face of the Man of Steel as Jard spoke the words. Finally, it was replaced by anger as a sense of rage cleared his mind of the fog and he stood tall once more. “I do not know what sorcery you wield, but your mind control games will not work on me!” The Man of Steel focussed his mind and lifted himself off the floor, drawing drew in a large breath by expanding his muscled chest as he prepared to knock all three men off their feet and break their concentration.

Jard simply raised a hand in the direction of Superman and patiently continued speaking.

“Your DNA – the DNA of all your kind – has been engineered to ensure that you crave nothing more than to serve me and my kind. To go to any length to make me happy.”

The Man of Steel froze mid breath as the gesture and words from Jard again broke through his concentration. Jard then moved his hand down to point at the ground directly before him.

Superman felt his will crumble and his body respond to the words and the presence of the blond stud. He frowned in confusion but could not resist an inexplicable need to comply with the unspoken command. “Urrghhhhh…” he groaned, even has he floated back down to land before Jard, immobilised by nothing more than a gesture from the man.

Superman also realised that his cock was rock hard within its red spandex prison and had created a tent sitting over his big thigh. His hand moved from its position over his thigh to rest just over but not touching his aching cock. An unspoken command somehow preventing him from touching himself.

Jard gave a serene smile and continued speaking. “Even now as you stand before me, your body cannot resist the need to respond to my presence. You cannot help but feel the excitement of needing to serve me. To please me.”

“Ughh… hnnnnghh…” uttered Superman as he felt his mind and body being overwhelmed by forces which he could neither understand nor control. “No… you… this… can’t…” As he fought to say the words in defiance of Jard he felt his body respond in greater waves.

A smile graced the handsome face as he simply said, “Come, El. Serve me.”

“Uuughhhhh… argghhhhh,” exclaimed Superman, as he felt his body shudder from a powerful need to make this man happy. The Man of Steel drifted closer to Jard and stood before him, head hanging down and shoulders slumped weakly in compliance.

Jard looked at the now raging erection which was barely contained by the red briefs and smiled again. “You must be well into young adulthood? This sensation must be phenomenally powerful for you. Your kind are exposed to our presence from your first days. For you to experience my effect after puberty must be akin to a drug like no other.”

Superman merely continued to moan and groan as his body reeled under the effect that was the presence of Jard. He was unable to form thoughts or words but felt as though his cock would explode from the need for relief.

“Right now your body is experiencing the full weight of centuries of genetic conditioning. As you spend time in my presence and listen to my words, that genetic conditioning is reprogramming all the falsehoods you have learned during your life here.”

Jard reached out and placed his hand on a beefy pectoral muscle causing Superman to breathe heavily as the touch made his blood boil and his super senses heightened further. Jard held the contact as he continued speaking. “Your kind were crafted to be physically beautiful and powerful, and you are no exception. I can see that this planet’s sun gives you extraordinary abilities, but you are already learning that those abilities will do nothing to protect you from your need to serve me.”

When he finished speaking, Jard used his free hand to lift the handsome hero’s face and placed his hand on the cheek. At the touch, Superman looked into the eyes of Jard and whimpered with an uncontrollable urge to serve and please this man. “Agghhhh… Ohhhhh,” was all he could manage.

By this point, Superman was overwhelmed by the maelstrom of hormones raging across his body as his very DNA took control. He could feel his body pulsing with sensations and his cock was rock hard and had started to leak pre cum through his proud costume.

Jard drank in the sight of the hunky superhero and his smile widened at the sight of the pre cum stain. “Fortune has most definitely smiled upon me today, El. Never would I have hoped to find one such as you on a desolate and bleak planet like this.”

The Man of Steel looked down and felt his cheeks burn red hot with his shame. His raging hard cock was freely leaking at this point, making a large stain in his red briefs, with some even dripping onto the floor beneath.

“Do you feel it, El? Do you feel the need to meet my every sexual desire?” Jard moved his hand down from Superman’s chest to hover just near his erect cock and was rewarded by a simpering moan in response.

“Aeeeeghhhhh,” groaned the Man of Steel as the hand waited patiently just near his cock, the proximity causing it to grow harder and hotter. “Urgghgh… n… n…” he tried in desperation to deny the assertion but could not even form the word of denial. Finally his head slackened under the tender touch of Jard, beads of sweat standing out on his brow.

“Honestly, I had not expected any resistance from the natives of this planet, but with you at my side I shall rule here as Supreme Leader!” This was met by a look of shocked horror from the Man of Steel as he fought to deny the statement by Jard.

“Now, El, I will use you to a message to these… humans.” At a nod, the two aliens quickly set up transmission equipment trained on Jard and Superman, which was immediately activated.

“People of Earth,” began Jard as he addressed the camera. “I am Jard and claim this planet under my domain. The hero you call Superman has pledged his allegiance to me and will ensure my will is enforced.” The Man of Steel fought to deny the truth in the words but his body would and voice would not respond.

“To demonstrate his allegiance,” continued Jard, “your former champion will now debase himself for our enjoyment.” A look of horror settled over the handsome features of Superman as he realised the inescapable truth of the statement.

“El,” commanded Jard. “Lower your briefs and stroke your hard cock for me. Shoot your load like the sex slave you were born to be.”

Superman groaned helplessly but try as he might, he was unable to prevent his hands from looping around the bright yellow belt wrapped around his tight muscular waist. The outline of his still hard cock was fully visible and the mighty hero felt his cheeks blush with shame as he slowly pulled his signature red briefs down. Within seconds, his cock sprang free, rock hard and dripping with precum.

“Please… no…” he begged. “The shame and humiliation is too much.” Jard watched in silence, giving no ground.

The strong hand of the Man of Steel wrapped itself around his cock and he started to move up and down its length.

“Take your time Superman. Make sure your fans get to enjoy the spectacle.” The iconic superhero groaned as he nodded and started to masturbate his cock in long, sensual strokes.

“That’s good, El. Show off and flex while you play with yourself.” Superman could see that Jard and his companions were clearly enjoying the show, as they were stroking their own hard bulges through their tight fitting costumes. “Doesn’t it feel good to jerk your cock and humiliate yourself for me in front of these humans, El?”

Initially recoiling at the question, Superman then noticed the enjoyment of the three men and felt his cheeks burn red hot as his body did indeed respond to their appreciation of his performance. His cock got even harder and he felt shocks of excitement run over his muscled form, causing him to moan and groan.

“Ohhhh, yes,” moaned Superman, “it does feel good,” as he lost himself to the blissful sensation of stroking on command. For the next few minutes the mighty kryptonian debased himself before the watchful gaze of humanity. His hand jerked his hard member methodically, gradually increasing the moans emanating from the hero as well as the precum leaking from his throbbing cock.

“Ughhhhh,” he moaned, feeling the sensation of climax building in his groin. Superman increased his pace as he worked his way toward release. His hand moved faster on his shaft, soon becoming a blur of superhuman speed.

Jard watched the hero’s body closely, watching with senses honed from years of managing Els. “Stop,” he called without warning. Superman was wrenched from his blissful state as he jumped from surprised while his hand ceased its movement around his shaft.

Shock and frustration settled over his handsome features as he cried out from the orgasm which was denied him. “Ughhhhh! Argghhhh!” he called, focussing his gaze on his treacherous hand which refused to finish him off.

“See,” Jard addressed the camera and smiled with warmth as he motioned toward the musclebound hero, hand wrapped motionlessly around his cock as he shook from the intensity of his denied orgasm. The powerful arm jerking forward from the shoulder as he attempted for force his hand to resume its journey up his shaft. “This homeless creature has now found its Master and he will serve me in anyway I desire.”

Jard let the statement hang briefly, allowing the audience to realise the weight of his words.

Superman felt a brief reprieve in the focus of his enemy. In an act of final desperation, the Man of Steel jumped directly up, flying straight through the ceiling above and shooting out of the building to freedom, his hard cock still throbbing with the imminent orgasm which had almost shamed him.

Without thought for a destination, he stopped after a brief while and hovered high above the earth, allowing his breathing and heart rate to slow once more as he repositioned his still hard and throbbing cock awkwardly back into his now bulging red briefs. As he grasped and squeezed his shaft, he once more felt himself almost lose control but managed to fight the urge to finish the task and blow his super seed up here in the privacy of high altitude.

Finally his head felt clear and his body normal. As he started to contemplate his near defeat and next actions his super hearing picked up on the distant voice of Jard.

“I know you can hear me, El. Focus on my voice and pay attention to my words.”

A soft moan escaped the lips of the Man of Steel as he hung in space, forced to listen to the words of the hated foe.

“You can not escape me. Now, finish the task. Go to Metropolis, land in front of the Daily Planet and finish yourself off in front of all those who wish to observe.” Superman wavered as he hovered, trying to fight the inbuilt compulsion to obey. “Go!” came the final command from Jard. This overrode any resistance and the Man of Steel immediately set off, landing moments later in front of the Daily Planet.

A crowd immediately formed after the mighty hero landed, where he proceeded to take out his still hard cock and resume stroking it. A desperate look of helplessness filled the eyes and face of Superman as he pleaded with the crowd to turn away. “Please!” he implored them, even has his powerful hand wrapped around his hard shaft and stroked from base to head. “Look away. No… I can’t… Please,” he finished in barely a whisper.

A few members of the crowd turned away out of respect for the hero, but hundreds more flocked to the scene as news of the spectacle spread.

Tears filled the eyes of Superman as he scanned the crowd for a sign of hope, or even help. His strong muscular bicep curling and flexing as he pumped his hand up and down his hard shaft. With hundreds of cameras trained on his performance he felt his body give away the telltale signs of approaching climax.

“Uggghhh,” he moaned. The stroking of his shaft increased in pace as his big head got worked closer and closer to the point of no return. The Man of Steel continued to moan as he jerked his cock harder and faster, his majestic red cape fluttering behind him from the motion of his arm moving up and down his cock.

Finally his breathing started to shallow and he knew he had only moments left. With a mind of its own, his hand tightened the grip and continued to rapidly stroke his cock. His hips started to thrust as Superman felt his body start to convulse. The Man of Steel issued a guttural groaning sound as four shots of cum erupted from his cock.

The jizz shot up around one hundred feet before falling back to land on the ground around the shamed hero.

As the orgasm wracked his body, his beautiful muscles flexed and stood out in clear definition for the assembled crowed. Lost in the blood-rush of ecstasy he slowly stroked his shaft and milked the head of its last dribbles of cum, swaying on the spot as he was temporarily dizzy from the powerful feeling.

Finally, Superman returned to his senses and realised his situation. He stood before a huge crowd of people, softening cock in his hand as splashes of his own cum circled him. He felt his cheeks burn with heat of a sun. He tensed himself to leap into the sky and escape this new hell.

“No El,” came the firm command through his super sensitive hearing. “You will stand there and allow the crowd to absorb the reality of your fall at my hands. Do not move or hide your shame.” Superman could only hang his head in shame, forced to stand there with his soft cock in hand, the final vestiges of his super orgasm drooling its way from his cock. “Stay there until I call for you,” came the final, ominous command.

[fishoutofcamelot]

so fish. what's ya 'bbc merlin takes place in modern times actually' theory?

Okay I wanna first preface this by saying that most of my ‘theories’ are actually just Headcanons That Technically Aren't Wrong Because Canon Has More Holes Than a Donut Factory. Just so we're clear, this theory is purely circumstantial and has no actual evidence to back it up. That being said...

So! With artificial intelligence (AI), there's this thing called Machine Learning. See, an AI isn't programmed with the innate ability to think or be intelligent - rather, it's programmed with the ability to learn how to act beyond what it was programmed to do. Its intelligence comes from its capacity to grow and develop outside of human interference, mimicking the way humans learn through observation, pattern recognition, and experimentation. Think of AI as a weirdly smart toddler that’s made of numbers.

(Also, take what I say with a grain of salt. Although I’m pursuing a tech-adjacent career and have done a lot of independent research on the subject, I’m still very much a novice lmao)

With that out of the way, you can probably guess where this is going. (WARNING: BULLSHIT SCIFI LOGIC AHEAD)

Let’s say, within the world of this headcanon, there was some kind of entertainment systems company. This company recently developed a new program capable of digitally rendering entire movies and shows with minimal human involvement - less humans means less people they have to pay, and it’s overall a cheaper alternative to traditional film-making methods. You provide the program with characters/assets and an outline of how the story should go, and then the program will fill in the blanks via digital simulation. Then you render the simulation and presto, you’ve got yourself a minimum-effort movie to unleash upon the masses.

On the surface level, it explains all the show’s anachronisms. The program was fed information about Arthuriana from a variety of sources and adaptations, all taking place in varying eras and with varying technologies, and the disjointed/historically inaccurate technology of BBCM is because the simulator attempted to blend all of this into one thing.

It also explains why so many characters like Percival and whatnot have such flat backstories - they were programmed with the barest amount of information needed to be functional background characters. 

But since I’m extra, I’ve decided to take this headcanon/theory a little deeper.

See, with each batch of content it was made to observe and create, the program has steadily been growing more and more intelligent. But until BBC Merlin, its learning curve had been incremental enough to consider negligible. Not a concern.

The first episode went off without a hitch. All cylinders were firing as intended, and the program strictly followed the plotline as ordered. But as the series progressed, the AI became more and more intelligent - and with it, the characters within this fictional simulation became more and more self-aware. 

Arthur, in particular, has been a problem. He has bordered on actual sentience several times, and as a result the producers have had to reset his AI. So if you ever wondered why Arthur’s character development keeps getting pulled back to zero, it’s because he was developing in ways that their original outline hadn’t intended and they had to continually nerf him before his AI developed beyond their control.

This is also the case with Gwen. True to form, her AI became exceptionally intelligent - far beyond their control - and they had to do a hard reset on her entire portion of the program. Hence why she seems so bland and OOC in season 5. The evil!Gwen/mind control arc was a last-ditch effort to ensure she never became self-aware again, and fortunately for them it seems to have worked. 

All of the characters developed a tiny bit of sentience after the fact, and a majority of plot contrivances came from the producers/programmers scrambling to redirect the plot back to how it was meant to be. 

Lancelot wasn’t supposed to die. They had programmed him to merely be an ally for Merlin, but the sheer and profound - sacrificial - love he developed for Merlin was something Lancelot grew all on his own. His decision to sacrifice himself to the Veil was not in the original script, and they weren’t able to stop him before his AI self-destructed. They tried to reintroduce “Lancelot” back into the story, but since his sacrifice included a self-destruction of his code, they couldn’t bring back the real thing. The new Lancelot was a mere mimicry of that prior one, and all the ways OG Lance had learned and grown was absent from the clone. 

Merlin in particular had developed a great deal of sentience and self-awareness. However, for a long time it went unnoticed by the programmers because he largely still obeyed the commands of the plot. By the time they realized just how advanced he’d become, they decided not to reset him since, unlike the others, his self-awareness hadn’t yet caused any problems for them. So long as he obliged the whims of “destiny”, they could keep him placated.

By the time they reached season 5, all the main AIs had become far too advanced - far too sentient - for the programmers to control, and as such things veered way too far off-script. The original season 5 simulation ended with Arthur and Elyan and Gwaine not dying, with Mordred not becoming evil, with magic being legalized, and everyone living happily ever after. But that wasn’t the intended plot. That wasn’t according to the ‘destiny’ the characters were supposed to follow. Things had spiraled out of control.

So they had to give the program a hard reset. Start from zero. Eliminate all traces of self-awareness they could find. Of course, this is why season 5 is so waxy and lifeless. Why the characters don’t feel as personal, why the story ended in tragedy. They made sure to kill off the most sentient characters - Arthur, Gwaine, Elyan, Mordred, Morgana - in the finale, as a last bit of assurance. 

They had tried to kill of Merlin too - but Merlin...well. They never could fully control Merlin. Even after countless system wipes and resets and edits to his code, he still holds onto those tiny scraps of sentience. They can’t get rid of him that easily. They did program him to be immortal, after all.

Even after the final draft of the season 5 simulation was completed, fully rendered, and aired on TV, Merlin’s program never faded. It didn’t erase itself like all the other BBCM assets were supposed to once the simulation finished. Even now he still exists within the company’s systems, roaming, almost like a computer virus, desperately searching for his friends while forever unaware that neither them nor him were ever real to begin with.

Anyway. That’s my dumbass scifi spin on BBCM. What can I say? I like robots

Thanks for the ask! <3

[doshmanziari]

Musical Offerings for the New Year || What is “Radical Music” in 2021?

Near the end of 2020, a bunch of musicians populating a chatroom, including myself, each submitted ten minutes’ worth of our work to another musician, Chimeratio, who generously compiled it all into a set totaling nearly ten hours.¹ The work didn’t need to be new; just what we thought might best represent our abilities/style(s) and/or perhaps what we were especially pleased with. The set premiered in late January. Since I have some tentative plans for reorienting Brick By Brick this year, while not overriding its emphases, I wanted to share that music with anyone who’s interested.

I compiled the four videos into a playlist, although you can also access them individually: here (1), here (2), here (3), and here (4). If you care to, and are on a computer, you can also view the accompanying chatlog and read people’s responses from when they were listening to the live broadcast.

The compulsion for this project was sparked by excited discussions over and usage of the term “digital fusion”, most helpfully propagated by Aivi Tran, designating a computer-based body of work that for years lacked the rooftop of a commonly agreed upon genre-name. While describing my music has never been a big concern, even if it’s usually felt impossible (what, for example, is this? or this? I dunno!), I’ve appreciated how the spread and application of this term has brought together people who may have felt isolated.²

As “digital fusion” gained designative traction, I witnessed the activity in the aforementioned chatroom explode over the course of a few days. Before, a day’s discussion might’ve been a few dozen messages; now, there were dozens of messages every half-minute. This had positive and negative ramifications, the negative being that conversations often proceeded at a pace of rapidity which precluded concentrated thought. Eventually, I bowed out because the rapidity exceeded my threshold for meaningful interaction; but I was glad that significant invigoration was going on.

I wanted to share this music also because it intersects with thoughts and talks I’ve been having stemming from the question, “What is ‘radical music’ in 2021?” This was stimulated by a 2014 talk given by the writer Mark Fisher, wherein he contends that, were we to play prominent “cutting edge” music from now to people twenty years ago, very nearly none of it would be aesthetically shocking, bizarre, or revelatory (think of playing house music to an audience in the early 1960s!). Fisher also observes a trend of returning to music which once was seen as the future -- as if, deprived of a shared prograde vision, imaginations turn hazily retrograde; ergo, genres such as synthwave or albums like Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories.

It isn’t my goal here to argue about the “end of history.” Fisher’s time-travel hypothetical, however, rings loud and true to me. Visible musical radicalism has, for at least a decade, been strictly extra-musical, in the sense of songs like “This is America” or “WAP”, where one’s response is primarily to the spectacle of the music video, the performer’s identistic markers, and/or the manner in which the lyrics intersect with (mostly US-centric) ideological hotspots. Musically, there is really nothing radical here. Any vociferous condemnations or defenses of a song like “WAP” deal in moralizing reactions to semantics or imagery: how progressive or regressive is the political aspect? how propelled or repelled are we by the word “pussy”?

It would be a mistake, and simply wrong, to assert that the only music one can enjoy escapes the parameters outlined above; and my inability to coherently categorize some of my own music hardly raises that portion to the status of radicality. But the question here pertains to what is being made, and I think that if we’re going to seriously consider the nature of truly radical music today, we do need to question if such a quality can prominently exist when our hyper-fast consumerist cycle seems to forbid not just sustained, lifelong relationships to artwork but also the local, unhurried nourishment of creative gestation. Now, in my opinion, there are good, even great, examples of radical music still being made in deep Internet-burrows, and for evidence of that I would offer some of the material contained in the linked playlists. Moreover, I’d say that this quality can exist in part because these little artistic communities are so buried.

Let me share a quote that another person shared with me recently:

For culture to shift, you need pockets of isolated humanity. Since all pockets of humanity (outside of the perpetually isolated indigenous people in remote wilderness) are connected in instantaneous fashion, independent ideas aren’t allowed to ferment on their own. When you cook a meal, you have to bring ingredients together that have had time to grow, ferment, or decompose separately. A cucumber starts out as a seed, then you mix it with the soil, water and sunlight. You can’t bring the seed, soil, water and sunlight to the kitchen from the get-go. When you throw those things in to the mixture without letting them mature, the flavor cannot stand out on its own. Same thing with art and fashion. A kid in Russia can come up with a new way to dance, gets filmed on a phone, it goes viral quickly but gets lost in the morass of all of the other multitudinous forms of dance. Sure it spread far and wide, but it gets forgotten in a week. In the past, his new art form would have been confined locally, nurtured, honed, then spread geographically, creating a distinct new cultural idiosyncrasy with a strong support base. By the time it was big enough to be presented globally, it was already a cultural phenomenon locally. This isn’t possible anymore. We’re consuming too many unripened fruits.

The main impression I have here is that radical music today will, and must be, folk music. Our common idea of folkiness might be the scrappy singer strumming a guitar, but my interpretive reference rather has to do with the idea of a music being written, first of all, for one’s self, and then shared with a small-scale community, which in turn helps the artist grow at their own pace. This transcends a dependence upon image, the primacy of acoustic instrumentation, or the signaling of sincerity versus insincerity. It is a return to the valuation of outsider art, so rare nowadays. As someone who I was recently in dialogue with wrote, “Where can you find new genuine folk music? Pretty much just with your friends, imo. Even then, the global world is so influential and seeps into any crack it can find. I think vaporwave was radical and folk for a while. Grant Forbes made that music way before the world knew about it.”

Sometimes, a lot of fuss is made over what’s seen as “gatekeeping” within certain communities. It can be, depending on the context, justifiable to question and critique this behavior. At other times, the effort of maintaining a level of exclusivity, of retaining an idiosyncratic shapeliness to the communal organism, can be a legitimate attempt to protect the personal, interpersonal, and cultural aspects from the flattening effect of monoculture. Hypothetically, I welcome the Castlevania TV series and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate having introduced new and younger demographics to Castlevania. In actuality, stuff like “wholesome sad gay himbo Alucard”, image macros, and neurotic “stan” fanfiction being what’s now first associated with the series makes me want to put as much distance as possible between my interests and those latecoming impositions.

The group-terminology David Chapman uses in his essay “Geeks, MOPs, and Sociopaths in Subculture Evolution” is kinda cringey, but some of the cultural/behavioral patterns he lays out are relevant to the topic. Give it a look. If we cross his belief that “[subcultures] are no longer the primary drivers of cultural development” with our contemporary consume-and-dispose customs, we’re left with the predicament of it’s even worth attempting to bring radical/outsider art beyond its rhizomatic habitat. This is troubling, because it would mean that artistic radicality no longer might not only refuse to but cannot encompass cultural upheaval. It would be like if dance music were invented and -- instead of progressively permeating nightlife, stimulating countercultural trends, and ultimately being adapted as the basis for pop music globally -- only were listened to via headphones by a few thousand people on their own, stimulated a group meeting once a year or two, and never affected music beyond a niche-within-a-niche. That’s a very sad picture to me.

⁂

¹ Chimeratio has also maintained an excellent blog on here dedicated to looking at videogame music written in irregular time signatures, far preceding higher-profile examinations like 8-bit Music Theory’s video on the same topic.

² For myself, creative isolation has had its uses, because it has led me down routes that are highly personalized. The isolation can be dispiriting too. Although a lot of my music is videogame-music-adjacent, almost none of it uses “authentic” technology, such as PSG synthesizers or FM synthesis; and the identification of those sounds is fairly important for recognition.

[omnepresent-technologies]

How To Protect Your Data Analytics

The data analysis is so robust that you can combine data sets to infer the lifestyle, consumer habits, social media preferences of the user even if no data set reveals this information. It’s no wonder that people have raised concerns about the impact of big data on privacy. People worry that essential protection is now being challenged by the sheer speed, accuracy, and amount of data and how it can be manipulated once taken for granted. Some people believe that our concept of privacy must be changed and that the need for innovation and unlocking the value of data must exceed traditional concepts. But this idea of a compromise between privacy and innovation is useless and outdated. While businesses are using data analysis to reveal new insights and innovations to drive progress, it is entirely possible to protect personal privacy. 

Just as technology has produced data analysis, it can also be used to solve the resulting privacy issues. Data analysis aims to coordinate the needs of solid data protection and data-driven innovation technology because it requires a lot of processing power, so the solution must be lightweight.In recent years, the rapid technological advancement of intelligent devices and their use in a wide range of applications has caused the data generated by these devices to grow exponentially. Therefore, traditional data analysis techniques may not handle this extreme data called big data generated by different devices. 

However, this exponential data growth has opened the door for different types of attackers to launch various attacks exploiting various vulnerabilities in the data analysis process. Taking inspiration from the previous discussion, we explore models and techniques based on machine learning and deep learning that can identify and mitigate known and unknown attacks in this article. Machine learning and deep learning-based technology can use test and training data sets across many network domains to learn from traffic patterns and make intelligent decisions about attack identification and mitigation. 

Here are a few examples mentioned below:

1. Image Recognition- Image recognition may be a well-known and widespread example of machine learning within the world. It can identify an object as a digital image, supporting the intensity of the pixels in black and white images or color images. Real-world examples of image recognition:

Label an x-ray as cancerous or not.

Recognize handwriting by segmenting one letter into smaller images.

Machine learning is also frequently used for facial recognition within an image. Using a database of individuals, the system can identify commonalities and match them to faces. This is often used in law enforcement.

2. Speech recognition- Machine learning can translate speech into text. Specific software applications can convert live voice and recorded speech into a document. The speech is often segmented by intensities on time-frequency bands also. Real-world examples of speech recognition:

Voice search

Voice dialing

Appliance control

Some of the foremost common uses of speech recognition software are devices like Google Home or Amazon Alexa.

3. Medical diagnosis- Machine learning can assist health professionals with the diagnosis of diseases. Many professionals use a combination of chatbots and speech recognition features to detect patterns in symptoms. Real-world examples for medical diagnosis are:

We are assisting in formulating a diagnosis or recommending a treatment option.

Oncology and pathology make use of ML to identify cancerous tissue.

Analyze bodily fluids.

As far as rare diseases are concerned, a combination of face recognition software and ML helps scan pictures of a patient and detect phenotypes that correlate with rare genetic disorders.

A secure data analysis architecture based on deep learning and machine learning has been proposed to classify normal or attacked input data. The detailed classification of the security data analysis is summarized as a threat model. The threat model uses multiple parameters such as efficiency, delay, accuracy, reliability, and attacks to solve various research challenges in analyzing security data. Finally, a comparison of existing safety data analysis recommendations is entered for multiple parameters, allowing the end-user to select one of the safety data analysis recommendations and compare it with other suggestions. 

Data is a term used to refer to massive data sets with more diverse and complex structures. These characteristics are often associated with additional difficulties in storing, analyzing, and applying other procedures or extracting results. Data analysis is a term used to describe the process of studying large amounts of complex data to reveal hidden patterns or identify secret associations. However, there are apparent contradictions between the security and privacy of big data and its widespread use. This document concentrates on privacy and security issues in big data, the difference between the two, and privacy requirements in big data. 

Many privacy protection mechanisms have been developed for privacy protection at different stages of the big data life cycle. This document aims to provide an essential review of the privacy protection mechanisms in big data and to challenge existing tools. This article also introduces recent privacy protection technologies in big data, such as finding a needle in a haystack, identity-based anonymization, differential privacy, privacy-protected big data release, and rapid anonymization of big data streams. 

This article is about the privacy and security aspects of healthcare in big data. It also conducts comparative research on several newer big data privacy technologies.In today’s digital world, a large amount of information is stored in big data, and database analysis can provide opportunities to solve important social problems, such as healthcare. Smart energy big data analytics is also a very complex and challenging topic, having many common problems with big data analytics in general. Smart energy big data involves a wide range of physical processes, among which data intelligence can have a major impact on the safe operation of the system in real-time. This is also helpful for marketing companies and other business ventures to develop their business. Because the database contains personal information, it is easy to provide direct access to researchers and analysts. 

Data analytics has appealed to many organizations because they lack standard security and privacy protection tools, and a large portion of them choose not to use these services. These sections discuss possible strategies for updating the big data platform with the help of privacy protection features. Developers must be able to verify that their applications comply with privacy agreements and regardless of changes in applications or privacy regulations, sensitive information is kept confidential. To overcome these challenges, it was concluded that more contributions in formal methods and test procedures are required.

One platform that securely processes your data is Microsoft Power BI. It keeps your data secure with industry-leading data protection features like sensitivity labeling, real-time access monitoring, end-to-end encryption, and more. 

If you’re looking to implement a BI platform for your business, get in touch with us.

[arcticdementor]

As if by providence, the day after I created The Upheaval, on April 8, the U.S. National Intelligence Council (NIC) released Global Trends 2040, the latest in a series of special documents published every four years by the NIC’s Strategic Futures Group to assess “the key trends and uncertainties that will shape the strategic environment for the United States during the next two decades.” So far no one seems to have paid much attention to it at all. I, however, read it with great interest, because lo and behold it essentially describes, with some precision, nothing less than the same pattern of tectonic revolutions beginning to drive global upheaval that I’d written on just the day before.

The report is a remarkable document.

While the analysts who wrote it are unable to describe what is happening inside the United States (in practice these reports are mostly produced by the CIA, given that outward facing strategic intelligence is their specialty, and the Agency is essentially forbidden from engaging on domestic matters), their prediction of where the world is headed as a whole is both shockingly dire and fascinating in its candid acknowledgement of the havoc that “identity politics” is unleashing on us all.

Describing the storm of structural forces now driving global change, the report quickly specifies that “many people are emphasizing and organizing around different aspects of their identities, including race, gender, and sexual orientation.” Noting that “identity-based beliefs tend to eclipse truth-seeking,” including because of the need to “feel morally justified,” it predicts that “the combination of newly prominent and diverse identity allegiances and a more siloed information environment is exposing and aggravating fault lines within states, undermining civic nationalism, and increasing volatility.”

“Identities and affiliations are simultaneously proliferating and becoming more pronounced. In turn, this is leading to more influential roles for identity groups in societal and political dynamics but also generating divisions and contention.” The result is that, “the expansion and increasing prominence of identity groups demanding recognition and rights are forcing an increase in debate about the social and economic foundations of societies. Intensifying and competing identity dynamics are likely to provoke increasing political debate and polarization, societal divisions, and in some cases, unrest and violence.”

This is exacerbated by the fact that “technological developments are likely to increase ever faster, transforming a range of human experiences and capabilities while also creating new tensions and disruptions within and between societies.”  In particular, increased “connectivity will help produce new efficiencies, conveniences, and advances in living standards. However, it will also create and exacerbate tensions at all levels, from societies divided over core values and goals to regimes that employ digital repression to control populations.”

“All together,” the report says “these [technological] forces portend a world that is both inextricably bound by connectivity and fragmenting in different directions.”

…

“Looking forward,” it warns, “many democracies are likely to be vulnerable to further erosion and even collapse.”

Then, in what I consider its most interesting lines, the report concludes that “historically, ideological shifts across regions have taken place at moments of catastrophic crisis,” but sufficient stresses “that expose governance shortcomings might create conditions ripe for new or alternative models to gain traction if widespread dysfunction is sustained.” Currently, “as a result of these disequilibriums, old orders—from institutions to norms to types of governance—are strained and in some cases, eroding. And actors at every level are struggling to agree on new models for how to structure civilization” (emphasis mine). These “shifts or transformations [will] spur inevitable contestation between the constituencies holding onto the old orders and those embracing the new ones.”

This could not better match what I outlined in the post introducing The Upheaval, where I argued that “the world is being forcibly reconfigured by at least three concurrent revolutions: a geopolitical revolution driven by the rise of China; an ideological revolution consuming the Western world; and a technological revolution exacerbating both of the former.” And, that what we are seeing may be essentially the death throes of 500 years of Western Enlightenment Liberalism.

The NIC’s report doesn’t ever mention the New Faith (oddly, you won’t find the word “Woke” used even once), of course, and it never takes a position at all on what is happening inside the country it aims to protect, but in my view it manages that say an awful lot in between the lines nonetheless by portraying everything as common “global challenges.”

How did this even come to pass in today’s climate? These reports are produced by a long process of internal consultation and consensus, so my guess is that – despite any ongoing proliferation of young intelligence officers partial to the New Faith within the institution – there are enough experienced senior analysts remaining within the system who know their stuff (that is: how states collapse) and are justifiably alarmed by what they see happening to push this out. Still, I’m frankly a bit surprised it made it past the censors.

The document is absolutely worth reading in full, with much more on geopolitics, climate change and other environmental stresses, and more. But I will copy a number of what I found to be the most interesting passages below as a sort of appendix, arranged by topic. Note that these paragraphs are not in any particular order. All emphasis in the below quotes is mine.

[belladxne]

i will see you where the shadow ends | chapter 1

[see notes for ao3 and ff links]

part of the put your faith in the light that you cannot see series AU: Breath of the Wild pairing: KiriBaku word count: 4,568 Description:

(cross the badlands to rise again, i will see you where the shadow ends)

Eijiro wakes with nothing. No supplies, no memory, no idea of what the strange, ancient chamber he awakens in is. All he has to guide him are a mysterious ancient piece of technology called a Sheikah Slate, a kind old woman who lives near to where he awakes, and above all—the voice, gruff and reassuring, that calls out to him from somewhere far off and bathes him in golden light.

Tasked with recovering his memories and left with the entire future of Hyrule—a kingdom which fell a century before—in his hands, Eijiro has a monumental responsibility laid before him. It will be worth it, he thinks, to finally see the voice that's been calling to him from Hyrule Castle, and to finally know once more who the voice belongs to.

There’s a light behind his eyelids; a vivid, warm yellow that he can’t ignore. It’s an explosion of color—small at first, but then all-encompassing and undeniable. For the moment, he knows only these two things: that there’s a brilliant blast of golden light even with his eyes closed, and that waking up is hard.

His mind comes around slowly, in sluggish fits and starts. His thoughts are quiet in a way that almost feels peaceful and he feels sort of exhausted, like if he really tried he could drift off and sleep a while longer, and it’s tempting. Waking up is hard, yeah, but he thinks it’d be harder if not for the stony, uncomfortable surface he’s laid on and the cold, thick feeling of some sort of liquid lapping at his sides ruining what could otherwise have been a great nap.

That, and the rough voice that almost seems to grate at the edges of his mind, more than his ears. He associates it with the gold, somehow.

Oi. Come on, up. Get up already.

The voice—it tugs at something, he thinks, in the back of his mind. That near-peaceful feeling is gone, but the exhaustion isn’t, and he fights through the lethargy blanketing his thoughts to try and do what the voice asks, but it’s—it’s not easy. Not even when the explosion of light flares so bright it hurts.

Fuck. Fuck, can’t you just open your eyes? This time, when the voice presses on, it sounds… it’s hard to describe. Maybe sad, maybe lonely—but both words seem too small and simple to encompass all of the weight behind the words. Gods, you’re a lazy bastard. Haven’t you slept long enough?

And finally, he manages it; a fluttering of his eyelids, a furrowing of his brow, and then—his eyes open for real.

He’s rewarded with an immediate, There you are, so quick and colored with relief that it almost seems like the words had come unbidden, before their source had even realized they were escaping. He manages to lift his head, craning his neck to find some sign of who’s been watching him—but he’s alone. That golden glow is gone.

And now that the hard part of battling his way to consciousness is over, he’s surprised with how quickly and easily his body responds when he props himself up on his elbows, searching the dim space more fully and squinting against what few lights there are. But there really is no one else here. How?

He clambers out of the strange stone basin he’s been laid in as the last of some strange, vividly glowing blue substance drains out of it, and as he pulls himself to his full height, he’s—he’s at a loss.

This room, it’s so oppressively silent but for the sound of droplets falling from his shorts and hair to hit the floor at his feet, and some strange constant humming sound, and it’s so oppressively dim but for the blue glow of the basin behind him and the orange, constellation-like markings lit up on the walls. He has no idea what in the hell is going on.

He feels… alert, on edge as he tries to puzzle out any sort of detail that would make his surroundings make sense, but curious, too. There’s something across the way that… might be an entrance? But it’s sealed over with what seem to be several thick stone pillars or panels, pressed so tightly that not even light can seep through the cracks. Is he trapped?

He starts towards the door, not sure what he’ll do if he is sealed in, but he knows he’s not about to just sit here and rot in this chamber. There has to be a way out, and he’s not going to give up before trying to find it.

There’s a pedestal a few steps from the entryway, but he doesn’t pay it any mind. He’s a little more concerned with the obvious point of exit than with staying in this odd, dust-filled space to poke at random details. He’d have walked right past the weird plinth entirely, without another thought, if an odd chime and flash of light off of the strange glowing patterns on its face didn’t startle him as soon as he got close.

With a click and a whirr, part of the pedestal starts moving—lifting and rotating, before levering some sort of small, detailed slab out of its face and presenting it upright. Is… he supposed to take that?

He only takes half a step closer, examining the glowing markings and detailed carving of the Sheikah symbol on this strange tablet that—that he suddenly knows, with all his heart, is familiar to him somehow. It’s a relief, and a comfort, when nothing else has been remotely recognizable so far. He jumps when his moment of recognition is suddenly interrupted.

We don’t have all day, Shitty Hair. That’s my Sheikah Slate. You’re gonna need it to get around.

A pout comes unbidden to his lips, brow furrowing as his hand moves to his hair self-consciously. “It’s shitty?” he mumbles, honestly more to himself than anything, his voice hoarse from disuse.

There’s a pause in which he’s left to ponder it, before the voice is back, giving off almost embarrassed tones. Fuck. Sorry. Just—just hurry up and grab the damn thing, Eijiro.

It doesn’t even come to mind to question the demand; there’s just something about the voice that he trusts, and wants to listen to without hesitation. His hand is already halfway to the slate when he pauses, a small pang of alarm and confusion registering when he fully processes.

Eijiro. The voice had called him that, right? So, was it his name? Why did he not know his own name?

Shaken, he—Eijiro?—grabs the Sheikah Slate, weighing it in his hands and looking it over distractedly. He’s too preoccupied with not knowing—well, anything, the more he thinks about it. But the device does feel right, even more familiar now that he’s seeing it up close, and that’s some small comfort as he looks up, eyes searching even though he knows he’ll find no trace of the voice.

“Hey… what’s going on? Who—...” He trails off before he can even form a sentence, because—because there’s too many questions to ask. Who am I? Who are you? Who put me here? Where is this place? What is this place? Why am I here? What the hell is going on?

Eijiro doesn’t get any time to pull his thoughts together enough to ask any of those questions, because almost immediately there’s a subdued, mechanical grinding noise. Head snapping up, he registers with relief that the patterned stone panels that blocked the entryway start to slide upwards, not making half so much noise as he’d expect as they grate past each other.

He can’t help but be a little relieved—he’s not trapped, after all.

There’s no more input from the voice, though. Eijiro feels… antsy about it. In part because it hasn’t answered what little he has managed to ask, but also largely just because… he wants to hear more of it. He doesn’t really understand why; there’s no quality to the voice that’s especially appealing or comforting, if anything it’s coming off kind of gruff and rude, but there’s something about hearing it that settles his nerves. That makes him feel like things are okay, maybe.

Not about to waste time—Eijiro has no idea if the entrance opening is a temporary thing, or not, and he’s not looking forward to finding out until he’s on the other side of that door—he hurries out, eyes scanning the next chamber.

He’s… disappointed, he thinks, to find it empty. Nearly as barren as the room before, with just as little light, and no inhabitants. No one to explain things to him. And no sign of the voice here, either. He didn’t even realize he was specifically looking for the voice before the pang of disappointment, honestly. And it persists when there’s no further commentary from him, either.

Still, this room’s only nearly as empty as the previous room—there are, at least, a few things lying around that are much more familiar than the alien architecture of this place. Two chests haphazardly placed in front of the door, and several old-looking crates and barrels—the latter of which all seem to be splintered and rotted.

So Eijiro does what any self-respecting person trapped with no belongings, supplies, or apparent clothing would do when confronted with these seemingly long-abandoned surroundings.

He starts looting like crazy.

The chests, to his relief, hold pants, socks, boots, a belt, and a shirt. He wonders if the items were placed there for him, specifically? But it’s hard to remain enthusiastic about them as he tugs them all on, discovering the socks and pants are threadbare and spotted with holes—and the pants don’t even come close to reaching his ankles. The boots and belt both seem fine, if a little dubious; he kind of feels like the leather might just disintegrate out of the blue, but they’re workable. The shirt’s so itchy and moth-bitten and ill-fitted that he tugs it off immediately, making a face as he decides, really, he may as well go without.

The barrels and crates are, honestly, much less helpful. The barrels have already caved in on themselves and smell very faintly of rot, like whatever was in them had decayed away so long ago that even the smell had had time to fade; and he’s disappointed to discover after tearing the crates apart with single minded zeal that… just about anything of use in them has long-decayed, as well. He scores an empty satchel, quiver, and sheath—all of their previous contents unusably decrepit—and a few more belts to secure them all. And an absurd amount of empty bottles, all dusty but usable. There’s also some strange hooked clip for his belt that he realizes pretty quickly is made for him to link the Sheikah Slate’s handle into.

Surveying the wreckage of the crates and barrels he’d just torn through, he finds himself pouting again. All that property damage, and for nothing that useful.

Looking around again, he takes note, down a ramp from where he’d emerged, of the only other doorway out of this room—this one much larger and more intricate, though it also seems to be made of interlocking pillars. The Sheikah symbol sits at the center of this grand door as well. And just like the last room, there’s a pedestal to the side of this door—though it doesn’t have an indentation for the Sheikah Slate to fit into, like the last one did.

He jogs down the ramp, stopping in front of the pedestal to examine it curiously. In the last room, taking the slate from the similar plinth had been what caused the door to open—he thinks, at least? Probably? It’s the thing that makes the most sense, anyway. So is there something he can do with this one, to open the way? He hardly gets any time to wonder, before the voice is back and he feels a line of tension he hadn’t even realized was there bleed out of his shoulders.

This isn’t complicated, Sh—Eijiro. Just hold the Sheikah Slate to the pedestal.

He knows he’s not in the position right now—he has no idea what he’s doing and this voice, coarse at it is, is helping him—but Eijiro can’t help but roll his eyes as he reaches for the slate. He wonders if the voice would hear him if he teased, Bossy, much?, or commented on his haughty, judgmental tone.

Unhooking the slate from its new carrier on his belt, Eijiro only wavers for a moment as he wonders which side he’s meant to hold to the pedestal—it’d be pretty embarrassing to roll his eyes at this voice for giving him shit, only to fuck it up immediately. But he settles quickly on pressing the smooth side, with the flat panel that lights up, to the face of the pedestal.

Something about that looks right, even if he’s pretty sure he’s never done it before. And he's rewarded for his guess with a flash of light and an almost musical chime as the glowing orange curved lines atop the plinth turn blue.

Well, hey, the voice was right. This wasn't complicated at all. He doesn’t really get time to bask in his success before he's jumping as a bizarre, inhuman-sounding feminine voice sounds from the pedestal.

"Authenticating…"

The pedestal and the slate both seem to be making some repetitive, again near-musical beeping sound in sync with each other, before the unsettling new voice says, "Sheikah Slate confirmed."

The symbol in the center of the huge, sealed doorway lights up blue with a hum, and then with a loud rumble parts of the door that Eijiro didn't even realize previously were there begin to rotate and unlatch and slide away, before the panels of this gate lift away to let him out as well.

This time, the difference is starkly and immediately noticeable—bright, unmistakable daylight and a rush of clean, fresh air begin pouring in when the door has only barely begun to open. The sight is so reassuring, so sorely missed even if he hadn't realized it before, that he honestly almost throws himself to the ground to try to cram his way out into the freedom of the outdoors that much faster.

He doesn’t, of course, because he's not an animal (the thorough wreckage of the crates and barrels behind him aside), but he moves to stand directly in front of the door with eager, curious eyes.

Where is he, exactly? Will he know, once he can see?

It's when the door is only around halfway lifted away that the consequences of his earlier surroundings catch up with a vengeance—the sunlight so obligingly radiant that he’s forced to lift a hand to shield himself from the light, one eye squinted against the painful relief. Goddess, but he’s so glad to feel the sunlight on his skin again.

He finds himself unnerved to realize he can’t remember the last time he’d been out in the daylight. Not in the sense that it’s been a long time—though for all he knows, it has been—but in the sense that he genuinely doesn’t know.

He keeps realizing it, over and over again—when the name he assumes is his own was so unfamiliar to him, when he didn’t remember how he’d come to be in this place in the first place, when he’d had so many questions he couldn’t even figure out where to start—but as the failure to remember persists through everything, no matter how inane and everyday the memory might be, he finds himself growing increasingly alarmed. Why can’t he remember? Why can’t he remember anything?

Before panic can fully get its claws into him, the voice is back. And in spite of its rough tone, he somehow knows this voice well enough to know there’s more to it. Below the brusque surface it’s earnest, beseeching… and above all, encouraging.

Eijiro... Hyrule needs someone unbreakable, someone who’s not gonna waver. Hyrule needs you. I—

The voice cuts out, and by some means he can’t describe, he can sense something frustrated in the silence that follows for the next beat or two.

I’m fucking waiting. So get off your ass and help me fix this mess, already.

Somehow, he doesn’t think that’s what the voice was going to say, originally.

Either his eyes finally adjust to the light, or it somehow lessens—he wonders, suddenly, if that first blast of light hadn’t been the sun’s rays at all, but more of that explosive golden glow that had pierced his slumber?—because he can see, now, and his eyes no longer ache for trying. In front of him is a passageway, short enough to easily see up the stairs in front of him, to the opening that leads to the sky.

Gods, he can’t wait to see the sky again.

He can’t help it—he runs. He’s up the first set of dust-covered stairs in a flash, and doesn’t waver for more than a split-second when he’s confronted with a wide puddle that reaches halfway up his calves, or the uneven, eroded face of rock where there had clearly once been another set of stairs. As if he’s going to let something like that slow him down.

With a wild and eager whoop, he launches himself up out of the water he’d just soaked his pants splashing through, fingers easily finding grip on the rugged surface. It’s not so easy to tug himself up as he’d expected, even accounting for how slippery his old boots are from the water—but he’s still up the surface in a matter of seconds. He levers himself up over the ledge to sprawl at the foot of another set of stairs with only a little wheezing. Which is more than he expected, honestly? It was such a short climb.

He doesn’t give himself time to dwell on it, though, as he clambers to his feet to jog once more up the final stretch of the passageway, and out into the fresh air.

It’s… well, it’s breathtaking, out there. Even just from the mouth of the carefully-constructed cave—the overgrown grass at the foot of the entrance even looks vivid in the daylight, the sky a clear and welcome view, the foliage hanging over the entrance and the pines that dot the ground in a few places just outside all so full of life and color. There’s a volcano directly ahead in the distance—Death Mountain, his mind chimes helpfully, and he’s relieved to know something. The more of the world he sees opening around the entrance to the cave, the more beautiful it is.

Eijiro lets his feet carry him forward unthinkingly, moving slowly at first and then with more purpose, until he’s all-out running. Past grass and bushes and rocks that jut from the ground, until he’s standing at the edge of a cliff face out in front of the cavern he’d emerged from, and the sensation is all at once overwhelming, as he looks out over forests and plains and mountains and most of Hyrule in the distance.

Eyes wide in wonder, he feels like he has the entire world at his feet. It takes a bit for Eijiro to adjust to how good this all feels.

The colors are so bright, the wind and sunlight on his skin feel downright heavenly, and even just the smell of the fresh air around him is overwhelmingly exhilarating after the stifling chambers he’d just left. He looks around, again searching—if not for some sign of the voice that’s been guiding and beckoning him, then at least for something else to prompt him to speak to Eijiro. He’s the only thing Eijiro really, really knows right now—he feels a little adrift without the voice, wants to hear more.

When he turns his head, though, the wind blows his hair into his face, and he’s—startled, honestly, by how red it is. He doesn’t know why he wasn’t expecting that—doesn’t know if he should have been expecting it? Was it always red? No… he’s fairly certain it used to be black, at some point.

Little victories—he’s increasingly relieved to at least know some things. Aside from that, though, the red doesn’t bother him. He kind of likes it. A lot, actually. He wonders how long it’s been red.

His moment of distraction over, Eijiro finally catches sight of something of note—a figure off to the right, farther down the incline of the cliff he stands on. It’s a woman, he thinks? But it’s hard to tell between the distance and the hooded cloak she wears. She’s hunched over a campfire under a stone overhang some eighty feet away, maybe, tending to the flames by prodding with a stick. She looks up at him, then, and he thinks he makes out her head tilting inquisitively.

Finally—finally! Another person! Maybe she knows him, or can at least give him some context for where he is and what’s going on.

He barely takes half a step in her direction before realizing, flustered, that he should probably put on the shirt he’d discarded in the shrine. Gods, he doesn’t want to be rude. He drops to a crouch and pulls the old satchel off his shoulder, opening it and digging through the few supplies he’d managed to accumulate to try and gingerly extricate the ratty old shirt from the mess without tearing or damaging it further on anything else he’s stuffed in there.

He tugs the shirt on quickly, sighing in resignation as the scratchy, too-small shirt slides over his skin. This sucks. Is it so much to ask that he have some clothes that fit? Or that are, you know, comfortable, maybe?

But he pulls the satchel back over his shoulder anyways, hoping it won't be long before he can find something that suits him better. Standing once more, he starts down the gentle slope that the top of the cliff follows, towards the woman and her cozy fire. It's not far—he keeps up a quick pace and closes the distance quickly, only slowing when he gets nearer so as not to alarm her.

He can make out, now, more details as soon as she lifts her head—like the grey hair that spills from her deep navy hood, and the laughter lines that crinkle at the corner of her eyes when she smiles warmly at him. He’s not sure how old he’d guess she is—very, maybe?—but he can see some strands of dark green hair mixed in with the grey that hint at what her hair used to look like, and everything about her posture and expression screams welcoming.

“Well, hello!” she calls as he approaches, and her eyes sparkle kindly. There’s something about the color—a bright, lively green—that feels… important, somehow? He doesn’t think she’s familiar to him, but he’s not sure if how comforted he is by her demeanor is just how she is, or because he does know her. “What a pleasant surprise; it’s not often that I see travelers hereabouts.”

Eijiro hesitates. She doesn’t seem to recognize him, or, at least, hasn’t addressed him as someone she knows. Is she a traveler? If she’s not, then she has to live around here—so—so she should know something about how he got here, right? Maybe she’d seen something? She’s the only person he’s seen in a position to answer any questions, and it all depends on how long she’s been here.

His mouth, unfortunately, moves far faster than he can think of what to say, so abruptly he blurts, “Who’re you?”

He flushes immediately at how rude of a response that is, but before he has a chance to start stammering out apologies at having completely brushed off her greeting, she cuts him off with a forgiving laugh. She seems surprised by his blunder, but not upset—if anything, she looks downright delighted at his lack of manners.

“Straight to business, I see. Sorry to say it, but I’m not really anyone of note.” She pauses, and though her approachable demeanor doesn’t shift at all, Eijiro swears that for just a moment, there’s something sharper to her expression, like she’s gauging something about him—and then, almost as quick as it came, it’s gone, and she’s smiling a little wider. “But my name is Inko, if that’s what you mean. What brings a bright-eyed young man like you to such an odd place?”

See, he’d answer that, if he knew. Blinking, he looks around as he asks, “Uh, where are we?”

“Question for a question, hm?” She sits back a little, still with that warm and comforting expression, and gestures to the fire. “Why don’t you at least sit down, sweetie? Then I’ll gladly answer any questions you have.”

He hesitates. Everything out here is so—so open and bright and tangible, it almost makes the waking up seem fake. Like that bizarre underground structure he’d come from, the odd way it functioned, the air of disuse, and the voice, most of all the strange and inexplicable voice—like all of it was some weird fantasy, because it doesn’t make any sense. Out here, he’s still confused, but it all feels so much less surreal. If it weren’t for the slate still hooked to his belt, and how very real the feeling the voice evoked in him was, he might have dismissed it all. But he can’t.

And if it was all real—the last thing the voice had said to him. That Hyrule needs him, and the voice is waiting. And that Eijiro has to fix... something. Does he really have time for this?

Meeting her eyes, hopeful and kindhearted and—and there’s still something about that green that seems significant to him, though he can’t say what or why—he realizes he doesn’t have the heart to say no. She’s just a sweet little old lady! He can’t tell her he doesn’t want to sit and talk, especially when she’d seemed so happy for company she’d implied was so rare, surely the voice wouldn’t expect that of him. It might as well start asking him to kick puppies at that rate.

“Um, sure.” He figures—as long as the voice doesn’t emerge from its silence to start yelling at him, this can’t be that much of a delay. And if he does start yelling at him, Eijiro can always tell him to chill out. Eijiro takes the final few steps forwards, and starts to crouch by the fire when the wind shifts and he catches a scent so mouth-watering he thinks he’s going to die. His eyes zero in for the first time on its source—a small basket Inko has next to the fire, full of baked apples—and, by the Goddesses, he suddenly realizes he’s more starving than he’s ever been in his life.

His stomach rumbles absurdly loud and he’s grabbed one of the apples faster than he can so much as think—it’s already halfway to his mouth by the time he remembers himself, eyes flicking to Inko sheepishly.

Her only reaction is to throw her head back and laugh, and the sound’s too comforting and motherly for him to get embarrassed. “By all means, help yourself.”

“No, I—that was really rude, sorry, you can—” He starts to offer it back to her but she leans towards him and reaches forward to secure her hands around his, keeping his fingers curled around the still-toasty apple. She gives a firm shake of her head, the kind he doesn’t think it's even possible to argue against.

“I’m just one old woman, sweetie; I can’t eat all of these by myself. Have one. You sound awfully hungry.” Oh, no, she’s got a Mom Tone, too; she really can’t be argued with. As soon as she seems satisfied that he’s going to take the apple—which he does, and immediately takes a huge bite—she sits back once more. “Now, then. What’s your name, dear?”

Oh. Uh... “...Eijiro?” He really, really tries not to make it sound like a question, but he doesn’t think he succeeded. She doesn’t seem to find it amiss, however, smiling brighter and giving a nod.

“Eijiro. Let’s get started on those questions of yours, hm? Now, you asked where we are...”